________________ STORIES DURING BHAGAWAN MAHAVIR'S LIFE King Shrenik went to Punia Shravak and requested the Punya Karma of one of his Samayika. 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 and 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." King Shrenik asking for Samayika Punya from Punia Shravak Now King Shrenik realized that all his wealth could not buy Punya Karma of even one Samayika from a very poor man of his kingdom. King Shrenik left disappointed but with admiration for Punia's real faith in religion. This story shows that one can live a life of contentment even with limited earnings. We should not take anything that is not given to us. We should not accumulate more money than necessary to live. Vows or rituals are done for spiritual upliftment and not for monetary gain. To gain benefit from Samayika and other forms of meditation and penance, they should be motivated by one's inner self and not by any motives that conflict with Jain principles. 104 JAIN STORY BOOK For Private & Personal Use Only Jain Education International www.jainelibrary.org
