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JAINA STORIES
Kesava--"But, sire, you see, I hardly need anything. Contented am I ”
Devam-'But I am keen to share in the virtue of thy steadfastness How do ye deprive me of that ?"
Kesava - "As it pleases you then, siress
Deva—"So I give you the boon that the water which washes the first finger of your leg will heal any disease for good. When in difficulty, you will attain whatever you will crave for. Nothing is unattainable for the virtuous'
The deva then placed Kesava on the outskirts of a city and disappeared.
In the morning, Kesava entered into the city to find that a religious assembly was in progres Acharya Dharmashri was giving a discourse to the people assembled there. Kesava also sat down to listen.
The name of the city was Saketa Dhananjaya was the ruling king For quite sometime he was anxious to renounce the world and join the holy order, but he was prevented from doing so for want of a son and successor The king was present in the religious assembly 10 which the Acharya was speaking When the discourse was over, the king made the following submission :
"Holy sır! I got indication last night in the course of a dream that in to-day's assembly, there will be present a young man who will assist me in my spiritual design and set me free from my present anxiety It behoves thee to enlighten me how I dreamt such a dream and to indicate if such a person is present in the assembly." By dint of his superior knowledge, the Acharya realised the whole situation Pointing to Kesava, he said,
"Here 18 your young man, named Kesava The deva who tested Kesava's steadfastness also gave you the indication.
The king's joy know no bound He at once came to Kesava, embraced him and took him to the palace Kesaya was enthroned as the king of Saketa Dhananjaya joined the holy order.
