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RISHIDATTA
Happiness and sorrow in life are like sun and shade. An ordinary person is joyous in conditions of happiness and sad in those of sorrow. But a wise man maintains equanimity considering happiness and sorrow to be consequences of his own deeds. He keeps his mental balance. A man with such balanced views never faces defeat in his life. He neither breaks down in adversity nor does he get excited in joy. He is capable of forgiving even a grave offender and having a feeling of love and friendship with all.
The story of Sati Rishidatta gives us the message that forgive even your offender and endure torments with equanimity considering them to be the fruits of your own deeds. The life story of Rishidatta is one of the most popular stories in Jain narrative literature. The tenth century Prakrit author Gunapala Muni of the Naail lineage wrote a book titled Isidatta Chariyam. Based on this work numerous books have been written about the story of Rishidatta in Sanskrit, Gujarati and Rajasthani languages. Rishidatta was the daughter of a hermit (Tapas Rishi). But later, under the influence of Dharmaghosh Acharya she accepted Nirgranth religion (Jainism).
Sadhvi Shri Shantakumari ji, the scholarly disciple of Mahasati Kamalavati ji has favoured us with this story of Rishidatta. We are indebted to her.
-Shrichand Surana 'Saras' Written by :
Sadhvi Shri Shantakumari ji M. Sa Editor: Managing Editors :
Translator: Shrichand Surana 'Saras' Dr. Mansukhbhai Jain, Sanjay Surana Surendra Bothara
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