Jain Stories 02

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

Page 63

KING HANSA
The bhils thought that the fellow had failed to understand them. So they repeated what they had said before The kiog also repeated his own statement.
"You are a mad man Get out of our way. We have unnecessarily wasted our time with you"
It was evening when the king stopped beneath a tree to take rest. In a nearby grove were hidden a few thieves who were discussiog their plan on the third tight, they said, they would raid a holy company of monks and their followers that would be passing by that way. The king heard this and became anxious about the safety of the monks
When the king was thinking about this, a party of policemen came there in search of the thieves They had prior information about their plans, it seemed At first, they took the king to be of their party but soon they realised their mistake and thought of using him, if possible, for their own purpose. They came to the king and said,
“Sir, in the course of the next few days, a holy company is scheduled to pass by this way. We have information that some thieves have plans to plunder the company. There is a city called Shripagar which is at a distance of 10 yojanas from here. King Ripumardan reigns there He has deputed us to look after the safe movement of this campany, and we have orders to arrest the thieves, and even to kill them, if necessary. So we are here in search of them. If you 'bave any information about them, we shall be glad to have it."
The truthful never transgress their vow, yet they do not open the door to harm, unpleasantness and injury. The king was not 10 very dissimilar situation He had to uphold truth and the safety of the holy company, and yet he could not expose the thieves to harm So after a moment's thought he said,
"Friends, why do you bother about the thieves ? Your assignment is to guard the company, and this will be done if you stay with it If the thieves raid it, you can see them right there and do the needful"