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106
JAINA STORIES
-"What a silly question? There is a universal agreement on this that virtue alone wins"
Sajjan protested,
"What you say is far from the common experience In life, virtue never wiss; it is vice alone that wins. Had you given up your virtue, you would not have beenroaming in this dense forest alone.”
Lalitanga explained.
"If virtue had any place in the heart of my father, he could never have given me this order."
The argument and counter-argument proceeded to the stage of a breaking point, when Lalltanga said, “Well, let us consult a third party."
'This I agree to but on one condition, which is that if I am proved wrong, I become your slave for the rest of my life ; but if you are proved wrong, your ornaments and horse will be mine"
The prince gladly agreed. On the way, they met an old man, and Lalitanga felt that this man would be suitable to arbitrate by virtue of his age and experience “So he repeated the problem in view, concluding:
“Sır ! Could you please tell us which of the two winsat last, virtue or vice ?"
The old man cast a deep sigh and said,
"My young friend ! Times have changed and vice is waxing, as virtue is waping Bad people are leading a very comfortable life and the life of the good people is filled with: grief and despair.
Saijan was happy at this reply. Lalitanga, on the other hand, was deep in thought, Said Sajjan,
“So you see, that I had asserted has proved to be true Now may I expect you to fulfil my condition ?"
Lalitanga was always true to his words. He gave away
