Reap What You Sow Diwakar Chitrakatha 022

Author(s): Pushpavati Sadhvi, Shreechand Surana
Publisher: Mahavir Seva Trust Mumbai

Page 27

REAP WHAT YOU SOW
The two brothers nervously told their tale. The hermit pacified
them
anns
Boys! You cannot end your miseries by destroying your body. The miseries will follow you even in your next incarnation. As a hunter chases its prey, the karmas chase a being....
What do we do? We are fed up of this miserable life.
Accordingly the two brothers became ascetics and started austerities and meditation in the
jungle.
Once the two ascetics arrived at Hastinapur and started their practices in a garden outside the town. Ascetic Sambhoot went into the town to seek alms to break his month long fast. The state priest, Namuchi, who was now the prime minister of Chakravarti Sanatkumar, saw Sambhoot dressed as an ascetic and recognized him-"God! This is the same Chandal-son. If he discloses my identity to the king my secret will be revealed." The minister instructed his guards "That ascetic wandering on the highway is an impostor and heretic. Apprehend him, beat him up and kick him out of the town." The guards started hitting the austere ascetic with ropes and sticks. Ascetic Sambhoot calmly said "What is the matter? I have done no crime, why are you hurting me?"
Eut
The guards said "You are an impostor, an heretic, and a Chandal in the garb of an ascetic...
Do penance. Do spiritual practices. The fire of penance burns karmas. Only then you can be free of miseries.
When the guards did not stop even after repeated requests ascetic Sambhoot lost his temper. He said "Rascals! You take my serenity and clemency to be cowardice. Just wait." He opened his mouth and Tejoleshya (divine fire power) appeared from it like a fireball. Within a moment the sky was filled with smoke. The guards ran away in fear. But the anger of the ascetic was not pacified. Clouds of smoke emerged from his mouth and spread throughout the city. The citizens started wailing-"Oh god! What has happened? We are being choked. From where is this smoke coming?"
25
Ascetic Chitt (me) was also meditating there. I saw the leaping flames and clouds of smoke in the sky. I rushed to ascetic Sambhoot