Book Title: Santbal A Saint with a Difference
Author(s): T U Mehta
Publisher: Navjivan Prakashan Mandir

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Page 125
________________ an odd hour of a winter night. He asked them to tell the whole story. They revealed that Kalu who was to be blessed was the son of Oghad who was a hardened criminal of that place and who had recently died after coming out of Jail. However, Kalu was promising to be a greater danger and had taken away the bullocks of the village Mukhi who was so strong and influential that if the bullocks were not returned their whole community would be put to peril. They, therefore, thought that Kalu would mend his ways if he was blessed by a saintly person like Santbalji. Santbalji put a glance at Kalu who out of shame looked down on earth. Santbal said the young man was brilliant and perhaps wanted to take to land cultivation with the stolen bullocks. Kalu then looked up and told the Saint that he had no intention to steal or keep the bullocks; he had taken them away with a view to challenge the high- handed manner in which the Mukhi was behaving with everybody ever since he had got a gun with him. He pointed out that a few days ago, Gopa's cow had strayed towards the field of the Mukhi who threatened that he would shoot down anyone who allowed his cattle to stray in his field. He (Kalu), therefore, thought it proper to accept his challenge and took away his bullocks to test the fire power of his gun. Santbal smiled and sweetly told him that it was all right and that since he had already tested the strength with success, he should not only return the bullocks to the Mukhi but should also change his ways and take to agriculture. So saying, in a gesture of blessing Kalu, he put his hand on his head and asked him to return Mukhi's bullocks. Everybody got up, bowed down to Santbal and Kalu went along with his friends to return the bullocks to the Mukhi. Sale of Jaggery Used for Brewery : While, Santbal was on tour of Surat District in 1958 he was very warmly received by people at Madhi. Jugatrambhai, one of the most dedicated and respected Gandhian worker of Gujarat, was one of them. He was the President of Gujarat Nashabandhi 99 Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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