Jaina Method Of Curing

Author(s): Manju Jain
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 41

Evidential Story - 10
Shreedutt eradication of Poverty
A Jain devotee may also deviate from the righteous path due to misdeeds. As a result he suffered great hardships and it ends only when he goes back to the right path. Such was the case with Shreedutt seth from Varanasi. Due to his misdeeds he suffered great loss in his business.
Shreedutt maintained his composure during his tough times. One day a Digambar sadhu came to the city. Shreedutt went for his darshan and offered him food. Later he told the Munishree about his poverty. He was advised to chant clearly the 10th shloka (Natyadbhutam...) explaining to him it's the meaning, riddhi and mantra. His misfortune had not ended yet. One day while returning home from a far off business he fell in a dark well from where it was impossible to get out. Shreedatt sensing his danger started chanting 10th shloka of Bhaktamar Stoth with riddhi and mantra. He continued his devotion and chanting for many days. One day suddenly he heard Cham Chama Cham (tinkering) and opened his eyes. He was delighted to find a Devi like Lakshmi standing in front of him. She was Devi Rohini devoted to Jain Dev. She said that she was pleased with his devotional chanting of 10th shloka of Bhaktamar stotra and she would make him wealthy again. She asked him, "How did you fall into this well ? Did you lose the path of righteousness? He said, “Yes mother I became a captive of greed. Greed destroyed my discrimination. While returning home from business abroad I was about to visit a Jain Temple, when I saw a sadhu distributing a certain juice which when taken in a vessel would turn the vessel into gold. I forgot all about the temple and stood in the queue to collect it. By the time my turn came it had finished. The sadhu took me along with him to a dense forest to collect some more juice. He lowered me into this well on a wooden plank tied to a rope. I brought out the juice many times filling his vessel. When he took from me the last vessel, wickedly he cut away the rope with a sharp knife and dropped me back into this dark well. He probably did not want his secret made public. Now please help me mother". The kind Devi brought him out of the well and gifted him with lots of wealth. She said "today the whole world is in the dark well of greed. You can do your bit to improve the situation. You will have to inform the people about the greatness of the tenth shloka of Bhaktamar Stotra with riddhi and mantra. Also always remember Vitragi Digambar sadhu who gave you this great gift.” Saying thus she disappeared.
When Shreedutt reached home he was astonished to see a palatial house in place of his old house with all comforts and wealth & everybody was surprised with the sudden change. They were highly impressed by the result of chanting the Bhaktamar stotra with love, faith and devotion.
Testimonial