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FORGIVENESS
It was a hot summer's day. The chief disciple of Lord Mahavir, Gautam Swami, was returning to his resting place after his daily round collecting alms. The afternoon sun was very hot and Gautam was walking bare-footed as all Jain monks do.
On his way back Gautam heard the news that one of Lord Mahavir's devotees, Anand, was fasting unto death. Anand was performing the penance as prescribed by his religion. Anand was a rich merchant and a farmer and he had given up worldly pleasures in pursuit of eternal peace. Gautam went to see Anand. Anand bowed his head in respect and asked Gautam Swami,
"Sir, can any householder attain supreme divine knowledge ?"
"Surely, one can achieve this whilst doing household duties."
Anand heard this with joy and said, "Sir, I too have attained that state of divine knowledge. I can now see what is going on in this universe." Anand said this very politely as he was a man of utmost honesty and sincerity.
Gautam Swami was listening carefully. He started thinking deeply and replied, "Anand my dear, it is possible that one can attain the level of divine knowledge, but no one can reach as far as you are saying you have. You are not telling the truth. You must repent for this."
Anand said, "No, sir, I am telling the truth and in the Lord Mahavir's religion should there be any repentance for one who speaks the truth?"
"No..." "Then sir, it is you who should repent."
Gautam Swami was stunned by this statement. In his mind he was sure that he was right and Anand was wrong.
Gautam Swami went to Lord Mahavir and repeated the incident to him. He asked Lord Mahavir whether it was possible that Anand could have attained the supreme knowledge which he referred to, and if Anand was wrong why he should not observe the ritual of repentance.
Lord Mahavir, a propogator of truth, told him,
"Gautam; it is you who should apologise and repent because Anand is telling you the truth."
Gautam Swami was shaken by this decision :
d: jain story
