Jainism For Beginners Level 03

Author(s): Sayampurnashreeji
Publisher: Sayampurnashreeji

Page 99

had also taken another vow to offer food to virtuous people daily. As they could not afford to have more food to satisfy this vow, he would fast one day & his wife would fast the next day. In spite of their being so poor, they always offered their hospitality to fellow beings. In this way, the couple helped deserving people every day.
Once King Shrenik asked Lord Mahavir how he could destroy his bad Karmas to avoid being born in hell in his next life. He was ready to give up his entire kingdom for that. Lord Mahavir knew that it is not possible to change such Karma (birth Karma of the next life) once acquired by a person. However to convey this message properly to the King, he said, "If you can buy the Punya Karma of one Samayika from Punia Shravak then it may be possible to change the birth Karma of your next life." King Shrenik went to Punia Shravak & requested the Punya Karma of one of his requested the Pur Samayika.
Punia Shravak does Samayika (48 minutes of meditation & equanimity) daily. Once during Samayika he could not meditate properly. He wondered what he had done that was disturbing his meditation but could not think of a reason. Therefore, he asked his wife, "What have we done different today that I cannot meditate properly?" At first his wife could not think of anything either. But as she continued thinking, she remembered that while returning from the market, she had picked up dry cow manure from the street & used that as cooking fire. She told Punia about this. He told her that they should not take anything from anywhere unless it is bought from their own daily earnings. Even though dry cow manure lying on the street has no value & does not belong to anybody, they did not have the right to take it. Punia could do a true Samayika because he lived a life of such high morals. Even Lord Mahavir praised his Samayika ritual in his sermon.
King Shrenik was ready to give his entire kingdom for this purchase. Punia Shravak said, "Sir, I do not need any money. You have given us all the things we need in our life. I am ready to give everything I possess including my life for you. You are a great & merciful king. However I do not know how to give my Samayika Punya to you. Good Karma cannot be purchased. One has to do good Karma personally.
Stories During Bhagwan Mahavirs Life
Now King Shrenik realized that all his wealth could not buy Punya Karma of even one Samayika from very poor man of his kingdom. King Shrenik left disappointed but with admiration for Punias real faith in religion.