Tirthankar Mahavir

Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Jaybhikkhu Sahitya Trust

Page 72

cloth given to him by Shakra. He tore it into two pieces. He gave one piece to the Brahamana and put the other half back on his shoulder. Soma Sharma's joy knew no bounds because that piece of cloth was very fine, smooth and invaluable. His wife too would be satisfied with it.
To darn one side of the piece of cloth he went to a tailor and gave it to him. The tailor was very surprised to see a piece of the divine cloth. He said, “O Soma, you are lucky. You have brought a rare and invaluable item. If you bring the other half piece of the divine cloch, I will join the two pieces together and make the cloth whole again. Then the cloth will fetch you one lac gold coins. After that you will have all the comforts and luxuries of life. You will enjoy all the pleasures of the senses throughout your remaining life. So, O Soma, go and bring the other half piece of the divine cloth. Do not lose this golden opportunity."
Soma Sharma began to think as follows: "How can I approach Mahavira and request him to give me the other half of the divine cloth? What will be left with him ! I am poor but he is the poorest of the poor. He has only half a piece of cloth over his body. How can I tell him that I have come to take that piece of cloth in donation ? I will lose my power of speech and all my courage. How can I make myself bold enough to beg it from him? My mind refuses to approach him for this purpose."
Gimg away the half piece of sacred cloth to Soma Shanna