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having their growth underground - are prohibited for a devout Jain.
The party was thus proceeding to Calcutta where the Saint was invited to pass his Chaturmas at Bhavanipura by one Shri Damani, who was the head of the Jain Organisation there. When Damani knew about the difficulties of food and water encountered by the Saint and his party on their way, he arranged for a cook and a cart with necessary ration to accompany the party on their way to Calcutta, and sent an advance information about the same to the Saint. The Saint thanked Shri Damani and the Jain Organisation for the kind gesture but politely rejected the arrangement saying that all such difficulties were contemplated by him when he entered the Saintly order. However, those who brought the offer were not convinced. So they gave to Manibhai a cash amount of Rs. 200/- for making purchases when necessary on their way. With a view not to offend their feelings, Manibhai accepted the amount but did not spend a pie and returned the whole amount back to the hosts after reaching Calcutta.
In times of the difficulties narrated above Santbalji used to say that if we could repose complete faith in Providence, Nature takes care of our needs.
There is nothing extraordinary for a Jain Saint to undergo the experiences of the type mentioned above, whenever they are on move from one place to another. These events are, however, mentioned here only to show that the person who was hooted out of the community of Jain Saints only because he wanted some marginal adjustments to the traditional way of life for serving humanity in a better way, was observing all fundamental restrictions prescribed by scriptures, rather more scrupulously and rigidly than his orthodox detractors living in ease and comforts of the traditional life.. !! !
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