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auspicious shout of. “ Aho, dāna-an excellent gift. ” The king and the towns-people were greatly pleased.
Now, Jirņa Śéth, always full of great devotion towards Śramaņa Bhagavān Mahāvīra, immediately on hearing the sound of the divine drum, sorrowfully thought :-Ah! Ah! Cruel Fate has made me ill-fated that although I respectfully requested Śramana Bbagayān Mahāvīra to have his break-fast meal at my house, he did not come to my house but he took it at Abhinava śéth's house. How can an unfortunate man like myself aspire for Cintāmaņi ratna-(the magical thought-gem fulfilling its possessor's every wish ) at his house? Abhinava Seth is more fortunate than myself. Is it not be so, Śsamaņa Bhagavān Mahāvira iluuld undoubtedly have come to my house for his break--fast.” Soon after break-fast, Śramaņa Bhagavān Mahāvira went on with his usual tourings.
At that time, a highly learned disciple of Tirthaikara Bhagavão Śrī Pārsva Năth came into a garden outside the town. The King and the people of the town went to pay homage to the Kévali Bhagavān. At the end of déšanā (religious sermon) the king inquired. -"O Bhagavăn ! Who has acquired a great. mass of punya (merit) in this town! The Kávali Bhagavān replied " Jirga Śétha is the most fortunate of all.” The king, joining both his hands in form of a cavity, in front of his fore. head, respectfully inquired, :-"Why? Śramana Bhagavān Mahavira did not takt his break-fast at Jirņa Séth's house but took it at Abalnava Śéth's house. Besides, the divine showering of wealth, garments, Howers etc took place at his house. How can jirņa śéth be considered most fortunate in acquiring the great mass of punya (merit ) ?" Kevali Bhagavān replied :-". By his pious intentions, Jirna Seth alone has acquired the excellent fruit of giving a break-fast meal to an Arbant Prabhu. By his good intentions, Jirga seth has immensely diminished the time of his worldly existence, and ho has earned the excellent merit of being born as a god in Acyut dėva-loka. While rising high, and higher in spiritual meditation, had he not heard the sound of diving drums
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