Book Title: Treasury of Jain Tales
Author(s): V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre

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Page 363
________________ 306 grains were re-sown and the same process was followed during the third and the fourth years. Rohini managed to collect a very rich harvest every year and filled hundreds of pots. Every time she looked at them she felt immense satisfaction. During the fifth year, Dhanya returned home. Another feast was arranged to which the same relatives and friends were invited and after the meal was over, Dhanya called his eldest daughter-in-law Ujjhitā and asked for the five grains of rice. She went to the store room and picked up any five grains and brought them to him. The father-in-law asked whether they were the same grains that he had given her. She honestly confessed, "No father, I threw them away on the very same day thinking that you have plenty of rice in your store room and when you asked for them again, I would easily pick up any five from existing stock and return them to you." Dhanya got furious at this. In the presence of every one there he scolded his daughter-in-law and said that she was fit only for menial work. So he assigned her to cleaning, sweeping, washing, running errands and such other outdoor work. Next, Bhogavati was called. To her father-in-law's query about the five grains, she said, "Father, I cleaned them and ate them up. In case you asked for them, I could easily pick up any five from your store room and return them to you." Dhanya was not too pleased with his second daughter-in-law. He assigned her work in the kitchen, like grinding, pounding, cooking, serving meals and such other indoor work. When the third daughter-in-law Raksitā brought her little box from under her pillow and showed her father-in-law the five grains which she had carefully preserved. Dhanya asked her whether they were the same grains that he had given her. She replied that they were the very same ones carefully wrapped up in a piece of cloth preserved in the box and well protected under her pillow and every might she satisfied herself that the box was safe and the grains too. Dhanya was pleased with Raksită and assigned to her the job of storekeeper and treasurer of the family. She would also look after all the jewellery, ornaments, precious stones and the silver of the family. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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