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THE CO-TRAVELLERS AND THE ODYSSEY
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detention He sent a word to his family to release all the birds as the painful experience revealed to him how wretched an affliction it was
The word of the Lord drew home to Rohineya the perennial verities. The vice of violence was too tangible to be ignored He stood up and said, 'Sire! I hereby abandon all Violence Non-violence shall henceforth be my mode of life Pray grace my vow
Shrenik said to Abhayakumar 'He seems to be the same man whom our sepoys had arrested He should be a virtuous Individual Pity that our officers thus humiliated a bird's soul'
Before the king would complete his statement the revelation of the identity of the man stunned the gathering
'I am Rohineya Robbery is my ancentral vocation I had terrorized the royal palace I stole goods worth millions and billions The entire machinery of Magadha failed to catch me inspite of their frantic efforts It was the Lord who caught me today Violence could not touch me but non-violence has held me firmly'
Averting to Shrenik he said, 'Your majesty! Pray let your premier recover the loot in my possession and restore it to the lawful claimants What does your majesty think of this humble citizen now?'
'Tell me what you think of your own self,' said the king Rohineya simply said, 'I have decided to seek initiation from the Lord'
Shrenik joined a thousand voices to shout 'Bravo, bravo' Fearlessness prevailed upon fear, trust upon suspicion, nonviolence upon violence Rajgriha heaved a sigh of relief
Rajgriha inhabitants were restored of their wealth and Rohineya his own true wealth Both were benefitted although in different manners The robber that dwelt in Rohinĕya was dead He was replaced by a saint A major robber when canonised is never a minor saint He cultivated sainthood till he breathed his last with all his might'
