Jain Story Book

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 73

she was not fit to be nursed by him. She was too low laid woman and did not deserve the care of a saintly person like him. Upagupta replied that as a monk, it was his sacred duty to serve the afflicted. She spoke "My Lord, I am a sinner all my life. By your touching me, you would get polluted and will be breaking your restraint of celibacy. I am going to die any way and would not like to be all the more sinner by polluting a saint. For heaven's sake please leave me to my fate." Applying the medicine, Upagupta replied "You are no longer a sinner, because all the sins of those who sincerely repent are washed away. Nursing you does not any way affect my vow of celibacy. I am glad that I am in a position to keep my word of giving you company at this crucial hour. Now stop thinking anything else. Think only that 'I am not body. I am the pure soul that never gets polluted.' That will give you peace and you will face the end of your life with tranquility" She uttered those words in a feeble voice and tried to repeat the same. Slowly uttering the words three times, she breathed her last.
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GUNDHAR THE CARAVANEER
In ancient times, there was a wealthy and virtuous gentleman named Gundhar who lived in a city called Laxmipur. He used to organize large caravans, loaded with various commodities, that visited far off lands. They exchanged their contents at major centers of trade and carried out lucrative business. Gundhar was thus known all over as a great businessman. He was highly religious too and used his wealth for charitable purposes. Once, while he was on a business tour, he noticed that a saint was addressing an assembly in a nearby park. Gundhar took a seat there and attentively listened to what the saint was telling. During the sermon, the saint pointed out the importance and significance of the third restraint for the spiritual aspirants. He said that the restraint is popularly known as Adattadan, which means staying away from accepting or picking up anything unless it is offered by its legitimate owner. The observer of that restraint remains contented with whatever he gets naturally. By observance of that restraint, one gains all sorts of happiness in this world and heavenly life thereafter. Gundhar was much impressed by the sermon and took vow in the presence of the saint to observe that restraint for the rest of his life.
In the assembly there was one heavenly being named Sur. He was amazed to see that Gundhar had taken that vow. He knew that Gundhar was a caravaneer and had to go from place to place. It was hard to predict what one would need during the travels, specially when one has to travel to unknown lands. Gundhar's caravan would thus need anything at any time. It was therefore difficult for Sur to make out how Gundhar could maintain the vow of not taking anything unless it is specifically offered. He decided to put the sincerity of Gundhar to test during his ensuing business tour.
Next time, Gundhar loaded his 500 carts with valuable commodities and with that he embarked upon a journey to a distant land. He was riding his favorite horse that could run very fast and understood his slightest hint. On the way, the caravan entered a forest. Since it was shady and cool, Gundhar got down from the horse and started walking. He could not walk fast enough to keep pace with the others and was left behind the rest of the caravan. While he was thus walking alone, he noticed something very sparkling a little away. He went closer and saw that it was a diamond studded ring. He had an insight about the worth of diamonds and he could make out that the diamonds, studded in the ring, were very costly. In fact, he had nowhere seen such valuable diamonds. It was hard for him to make out how such precious ring might have been dropped there. He however very well remembered his vow of Adattadan and proceeded ahead, leaving the ring there.