________________
104
DEREMO UMATORES DESK REVEN
Journey into Jainism
SAGOZAT BARS
The highest of the immortals spoke well of Bhatta's power of forgiveness and her inner peace. He even proclaimed that no being could compete with Bhatta in this respect. One immortal, jealous of the divine praise accorded to mortal Bhatta, decided to test the woman's virtue. He hid himself in Bhatta's pantry at the moment when two monks came to Bhatta's door to ask for oil for one of the monk's badly burnt hands. Bhatta asked her maid to bring a jar of oil. The invisible immortal pushed the jar from the maid's hands. Calmly, Bhatta requested her maid to fetch another jar. Again the immortal knocked the other container down, and again for the third time the maid was sent for it. Suspecting some superhuman inter, the monks told Bhatta not to worry about it, nor be angry with the maid and they were about to leave.
"I bear malice towards none," Bhatta said quietly. "If you kindly allow me, I shall go myself and bring it for you." As she picked up the vessel, the immortal tried his best to push it from her hands, but all his efforts were fruitless because of the purity of Bhatta's heart. After the monks had gone, the immortal appeared before her and begged forgiveness. He restored the oil in the three containers, so that nothing was actually lost.
The immortal said, "I am overwhelmed by the purity and tranquillity of your soul. I will grant you whatever boon you wish."
"Thank you very much for your kind words," replied Bhatta, "but I am satisfied with all I have. I need no more."
Greatly impressed with her purity, and ashamed of his pride, the god left Bhatta praising and blessing her.
