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228
THE JAINA GAZETTE
brother, and bring water in your arrow case." Sahadev is drawn to the same pool, and is astonished to see his brother lying dead. Sahadev, too, hears a sound warning him against drinking or taking water without angwering questions Sahadev, too, heeds not, and falls down dead on the spot. Next Arjuna goes out and meets the same fate. Then Bhima ; he too, drops down dead on the spot. At last Yudhishtra goes himself, and to him speaks the crane these words of warning: _“I am a spirit imprisoned in a crane You drink without answering my questions; you drink at the peril of your life!"
Then Yudhishtra says :-“Ask the questions you will." And the crane asks: -" How may a man be wise ?" Yudhishtra answers :-“Study the Veda !” The crane asks : -“Who is he who is not rich tho' he looks one ? ” Yudhishtra answers:-" He who having much gives nothing." "What is the secret of happiness ? "asks the crane; and Yudhishtra answers :-"Speak truth and be kind and you will be happy!” Thon says the crane :—" You have answered well: live, and let your brothers live! Live, and drink of the water of the pool, and be blessed."
And to these ancient questions are there not, also modern answers? -(1)“ How may a man be wise ?" By study of the Jeevan Veda, the Scripture of life ; for wisdom is of experience born. (2) “Who is he who is not rich, tho' he looks one ?" He who has gathered gold and narrowed his heart; for true wealth is love, and lack of love is poverty. (3)“ What is the secret of Happiness?" Self-realisation; for happiness is in nothing outer ; happiness is within,
- Dawn
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
