Jain Stories 02

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

Page 84

JAINA STORIES
Kesava bore this with patience, he was faced with a fire ordeal, But his mind did not approve the idea of transgressing the vow. That would be as good as his sacrificing all. So he stood firm, as if in a trance, and gave 10 reply. He was ready for the worst
The yaksa read into Kesava's mind. He was pretty certain that his power was useless to move Kesava So he changed his tone and advised his own devotees to get hold of Kasava's master, the Jaina monk, who had fixed him 10 the vow and who alone was pow capable to change his mind and induce him to take food. Some of them started at once and returned after some time with a monk, named Dharmaghosa, who was tied fast with ropes As soon as he saw Kesava, he began to lament Kesaya looked at him and took no time to understand that this was not his master. It was all a false game which the yaksa was playing Now, addressing the monk, the jaksa said
“Monk! You permit this follower of yours to take food Otherwise, you will be put to death
Turping to Kesava the monk said,
“Kesava! My child ! you see, for thy sake, my life 15 in danger. You should not behave like a bigot In transgressing a vow for the sake of a deya, one's own master and a holy company, one does not really fall from the path If you have any cosideration for me, you give up the vow but once and take the offering."
Kesava replied at once,
"My master prescribes not to take food at night He follows the path of the Jina who is free from all attachments. The path has no corner for fear So a man who gives a different prescription out of fear cannot be my master This is all a magic created by the paksa”
The yaksa was not prepared for this He shouted :
"Ye wretch! Take food at once or goes down thy master rolling on the ground the very next moment."
Kesava_ This is not my master. He would never step