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10 BHADRASINGH
In Saurastra, there was a city named Kalyanpur. Bhadrasingh was the king, Sundari was his queen and Kuldipsingh was their son. The king was a great devotee of truth. In his whole life, he had never made a false utterance He had to face many complicated situations in life, had to pass through many difficulties, but he always remained firm in truth. The king's behaviour greatly influenced the queen and the prince. This small family of three shared together material welfare as well as spiritual wealth.
One day, Indra was discussing spiritual matters in his great assembly and the discussion centred on the lives of pious men Said he addressing the gods,
"Among all the vows, the practice of truth is comparatively more difficult in many a difficult situation, the fulfilment of this vow is the real ordeal and test of the soul's steadfastness In the world of men, there are very few who are devoted to truth."
Said one of the gods,
It seems to me that there is not a single soul on earth who is really devoted to truth. Perhaps the eartbly beings have been created on the pedestal of falsehood”
Indra sharply disagreed Said he,
“This is not a correct statement Falsehood is comparatively more in the world of men, but truth has not become wholly extinct King Bhadrasingh is a shining example of this. There is no power on earth which can make him deviate from the path of truth",
One of the gods wanted to test and he sought Indra's permission to do so He had a feeling that human resolve, howsoever firm, must bend before the power of the god