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SAHASRAMALLA
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them. But I am thrilled by thy holy words, and my rocklike heart is now melted. Please save me and show me the way."
The Kevali said,
"My dear fellow ! Religion is a quick and intense remedy even for the worst sinner. Ennoble thy soul by restraint and be pore"
"Holy sire! I am ready to do whatever you suggest But I have one very humble request. You repair from here to somewhere else and there fix me in restraint. The king here is very much after me. If by any chance he comes to know of me, I will forfeit opportunity to improve. I am a well-known thiet of this city and I have thrown dust into the eyes of everybody, including the king."
The Kevali admonished,
"So long as you have fear, my dear fellow, you cannot practise restraint. Have, therefore, no fear from the king or the people. You have to make a frank confession Confession rightly dope changes the whole situation, and you benefit in the end. Even the adversary's mind changes and age-old feelings are washed away. To-morrow you will come at the time of my sermon. You will get chance to confess and then get fixed in restraint."
Sabasramalla agreed. Next day, the congregation met as usual, and the king and thousands of citizens were assembled. Through his sermon, the Keyali wiped out the doubts of everybody about the past, the present and the future. When the sermon was over, the king made his submission about the thief and sought guidance about his detection,
The Kevalı ordained,
"Oh king! He is no longer a thief. The agony of your city is now ended. You tried your best to detect him but you did not succeed. Have no more worry now. He is turned into an honest man."
"Bhante ! Hoy did it happen ?"
