Risabha Deva

Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: Jain Mitra Mandal

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RISABHA DEVA
should be offered to a Saint. From this time onward there was no difficulty felt in this regard by men, when offering food to the WORLD TEACHFR. The food-whatever it be-should be pure in regard to its materials, pure in regard to its preparation, and pure in regard to the actual giving; it should be free from himsa (offence or injury to a moving living being), and should be given with reverence and respect and in a manner which does not imply the recipient's lowering himself in the least degree. For saints will rather starve than take anything when the procuring, the preparing and the giving of it will ower them, in their own estimation, in the least degree, or expose them to ridicule or contempt.
It was the third of the bright half in the month of Baisakh when the WORLD TEACHER broke His fast at Hastināpur. That day the royal kitchen could have fed the whole humanity, because food became inexhaustible miraculously, through the merit of the WORLD TEACHER's presence. The event is still commemorated on the date mentioned, which is known as the Akhaya (inexhaustible) Tija (third)!