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TWELFTH INCARNATION AS SANTI
cetera,& ,867 offered to me daily as a present? Thinking 'I shall give these to my friends,' I do not enjoy them myself and I do not give them to any one else. Because
of what act is that, Blessed One?"
The Lord explained:
This sovereignty and this gift of five things daily are yours because of a gift to a sadhu. The not-giving and the not-enjoying of these are because of the universality of merit. Wealth belongs to many. It is certainly not to be enjoyed by one. Then you have the thought 'I shall give to my friends.' For people's thoughts are in accordance with their former acts.
"
In this very Jambudvipa in this same zone Bhārata in the country Kosala in the city Śripura there were four merchants' sons of the same age, like full brothers, Sudhana, Dhanapati, Dhanada, Dhaneśvara. Once upon a time the four together set out for Ratnadvipa to seek a fortune. Their provisions were carried by Droṇaka. They entered a large forest and had almost crossed it, when their provisions, though abundant, were almost consumed. Then they saw a muni standing in pratimă and they reflected a moment, 'We should give him something.' They said to Dronaka, the bearer of their supplies, 'Good sir, give something to the sage, Drona.' With faith superior to theirs, he gave food to the muni; and then karma with great pleasure as its fruit was produced by that act.
325
They went to Ratnadvipa, engaged in business, accumulated wealth, and returned to their native city. They always prospered from that very seed of merit. For grain stays alive from the rain of Sväti that has been once received. However, Dhaneśvara and Dhanapati were a little deceitful; and Dronaka, of them all, had especially pure conduct. Droņaka died first at the end of his life and became you, the son of the Lord of Hastinapura, from the power of the gift. Because a moon was seen entering your mother's mouth in a dream, your parents gave you
Jain Education International
367 382. Probably, fruit, garments, flowers, perfumes, and ornaments. Cf. Uv. II, p. 43, n. 120 and Kathakośa, p. 70.
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