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STORIES OF THE PLOUGHMAN AND OTHERS
Jain Education International
instructed her husband.
The Brahman made his request accordingly and the king granted it, saying, "When a jar has reached the ocean, it takes water suitable for itself.' So daily he received those things and attained high respect. The favor of kings spreads great benefits for men. He was honored by the people constantly,He is honored by the king.' Who would not serve the man to whom the king is gracious?
He ate several times daily, vomiting what he had eaten before, from greed for gifts. Alas! Brahmans are greedy. The Brahman prospered from the numerous gifts of money and spread out with sons, grandsons, et cetera like a banyan with its roots. But his skin became injured by the raw liquids coming up constantly from the vomiting of undigested food, like a pippal injured by lac. Gradually he became a leper with his nose, feet, and hands destroyed. He ate before the king just the same, insatiable like a fire.
One day his ministers told the king: Your Majesty, that man is a leper. Leprosy is contagious. For him to eat here is not fitting. His children are healthy. Let one of them eat here. If a statue is broken, another statue is set up.' The king said, Very well,' and the Brahman was so informed by the ministers. He installed a son in his place and stayed at home himself.
his sons.
The Brahman, crowned with a mass of small flies, like a honey-cake, was thrown out of the house into a hovel by His daughters-in-law also went to feed him, filled with disgust, spitting, their heads turned away, holding their noses. His sons did not obey his orders when he had been put outside; but gave food in a wooden bowl to him like a dog. The Brahman reflected: They have been made wealthy by me. I have been abandoned by them regardless, like a boat by men who have crossed water. They do not please me even by words; they actually make me angry. An angry leper is not satisfied, concealed with the words, "He should not be." Just as they are disgusted with me, I will do so that
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