Jain Stories 01

Author(s): Mahendramuni, K C Lalwani
Publisher: A B Jain Shwetambar Terapanth Samaj

Page 94

JAINA STORIES
since the brahmin had earned the king's grace, everywhere he received a warm reception, good food and the gift of a coin. The brahmin was all praise for his lady's wit
“ 'Now, this free flow of wealth without effort increased the brahmin's greed and he thought that if he could take meal at several households everyday, he would earn several gold coins At once, he gave effect to it. He would take meal at one household, come back home and vomit it out. Then he would go to another household and this he did several times everyday. His acquisition of gold coins. multiplied like anything
"'With the growth of wealth, his family too became large. But the practice of swallowing food and vomiting it out several times per day made him sick and soon he developed signs of leprosy His whole body from head to foot was covered with this ignominious disease and it emitted a foul smell which would extend over a distance But even in this state, he did not discontinue his visit to the court At the minister's advice, the king asked the brahmin neither to come to the court nor to visit different homes, but to collect his daily food through his son The brahmin agreed but reluctantly
" 'Thus his son replaced the father in collecting food The attack of the disease was so virulent that even the members of his family now dreaded his presence and did not like to live with him under the same roof So they erected a separate hut for him. The poor fellow now became an object of ridicule for everybody, including the members of his own family who freely talked of his behaviour in amassing a fortune He got disgusted at last One day, he called his sons and said, 'You see, my boys, I am fed up with life The remaining days of my life I have decided to spend in some holy place. Do you agree ?" There was“