Journey Into Jainism

Author(s): Smitpragyashreeji, Vishrutvibhashreeji
Publisher: B Jain Publishers Pvt Ltd

Page 72

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The Value of Satisfaction
King Shrenik was sitting in his palace with his queen Chelana. It was a dark night, and the sky was overcast with clouds. Yet bright, intense lightning pervaded the sky. In a brilliant flash of lightning, Queen Chelana was startled to see an old man collecting firewood on the bank of the river. She was greatly distressed by the piteous sight and exclaimed to the king, “O dear, what sort of poor people dwell in your kingdom? Among such poverty, how can your magnificence be justly appreciated?” The king agreed with his queen that something must be done.
: The next morning, he summoned the old man and asked him, “Who are you, and why do you take so much trouble in the odd hours of the night?” The man woefully replied, “O king! I am Mamman, the son of a rich person. I have an ox and, with the purpose of obtaining its pair, I labour round the clock.”
The king ordered his servant to take the man to the royal stable and to give him the ox of his choosing. Mamman examined the options, but could not select a single ox. He even refused to take those oxen used for the chariot of the king. When the king was informed of this, he asked Mamman, "What type of an ox do you have, that the best of mine won't do?"
"O worthy king," the man dejectedly began, “I beseech you to visit my house, since you are kind enough to wish for my welfare. Please take this slight trouble, and sanctify my dwelling by your presence.