Jain Story Book

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 60

should be used simply as an instrument for realizing the true nature of soul. It can be an effective instrument only if it was used purposefully. Understanding the true nature of soul was the essence of religion and that is the main thing worth pursuing in this life.
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HARIBAL'S VOW
In time of Lord Mahavir, there was a town named Vanijjya. True to its name it was a well known center of trade and commerce. Its King Jitashatru was a just ruler and trade and commerce had flourished under his rule. Anand was one of such well known traders. He had a beautiful wife named Shivananda and Anand was very happy with her. Most of his other relatives were staying in a close neighborhood known as Kollak where the Lord had earlier spent some time during the first year of His spiritual pursuit. By judiciously trading, Anand had accumulated lot of wealth and was considered a billionaire.
Once Lord Mahavir came to the town and camped in a park known as Dyutipalash where adequate arrangements were made for His stay and special structure was erected for His sermon. Every one was eager to hear the Lord and assembled at the place in time. The king Jitashatru also came there along with his attendants. Anand was engrossed in his trade and was not aware of the Lord's arrival. When he observed lot of people going towards the Lord' camp, he enquired and came to know of the occasion. He also decided to go to the Lord's assembly.
During the sermon the Lord said that it is very hard to get human birth. Only those who have earned wholesome Karmas are born as humans. It is harder still to get exposed to the true religion. People get the opportunity to listen to the religious sermons by operation of very wholesome Karmas. It is still harder to acquire faith in the true tenets and it is the hardest to put the tenets into practice. He therefore exhorted the people who had assembled there to observe the right code of conduct as laid down by the tenets.
So saying the Lord elaborated the 12 types of restraint that every house-holder should observe. The first of the restraints is to refrain from gross violence. While explaining its importance, the Lord said that those who cannot fully observe that restraint, should try to observe it at least to the possible extent. He added that even partial observance of the restraint gets highly fruitful as it happened in the case of Haribal. Anand requested the Lord to state what had happened in the case of Haribal. So the Lord narrated the following story.
There was a fisherman named Haribal. He was handsome, simple and straightforward. Once while he was fishing in a river, he saw a monk on its bank. He went to the monk, bowed to him and requested to give some religious advice. The monk said that the first tenet of the religion is not to hurt any living being. Haribal said that fishing was his livelihood, so how can he survive without hurting fish? The monk said that if it was not possible to avert fishing, he should at least take a simple vow to release his first catch. Haribal agreed and took that vow which he scrupulously observed.
Once while he went for fishing, he got a large fish in the net. According to his practice, he made a mark on the fish and released it in water. He cast his net again and caught the same fish. So he had to release it. He tried again and again and caught the same fish every time. Then he thought that the destiny wanted to test his observance of the vow and decided to go without the fish that day. Then a heavenly being appeared and said that he was testing Haribal and was pleased for