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KING PRADESHI AND KESHIKUMAR SHRAMAN
It is said that the touch of Philosopher's stone turns iron into gold, and effect of poison is undone by drinking ambrosia but till date no one has seen either Philosopher's stone or ambrosia. But the effect of pious company is much more astonishing than these two is an experienced truth. Good company changes life of man. His attitude is purified. A sinner turns into a sage. Evil persons turn into noble ones. A cruel and pitiless murderer becomes image of compassion. An enraged devil turns into a prophet of forgiveness.
In Rayapaseniya Sutra, a Jain Scripture, Bhagavan Mahavir has illustrated this by giving the example of King Pradeshi and Keshikumar Shraman. A non-believer and anti-religious person like Pradeshi, who was engrossed in sins including violence and passing death sentence even for minor crimes, turned into a great believer and highly religious person. He became a prophet of compassion and forgiveness; so much so that when he became aware that his queen had fed him poison-mixed food he remained calm and forgiving. He was neither sad nor angry at the queen. What brought about this change ? The answer is-influence of pious company.
In this picture story we have taken the story of King Pradeshi. Once Suryaabh god appeared before Bhagavan Mahavir and after paying homage displayed his divine opulence. At this Gautam Swami asked—"How this god acquired such grand divine opulence? What religious deeds he performed during his last birth?” In reply Bhagavan Mahavir narrated the story of his past birth and said that he was King Pradeshi then. And this was how his life changed.
-Srichand Surana 'Saras
Editor: Srichand Surana 'Saras'
Managing Editors : Dr. Mansukhbhai Jain, Sanjay Surana
Translator: Surendra Bothara
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