________________
DISCOURSE 3
Si
Once, there was a rich man who loved Vaikunta
This is an old story. In those days, that large city was a small town. There were no water pipes or electric lights. Large buildings did not exist in that town. A large cloth-market was also not there in it. There was a large ground in the town. Jivaraj Seth's shop stood on the side of the ground. He was a wealthy man. He lived in a large mansion. The Seth was not only earning a lot of money and enjoying sensual delights but also he was performing spiritual activities according to Dharma. It seems the Seth performed spiritual activities as a matter of fashion and exhibition. The Seth used to deck his forehead with eight or ten holy marks of sandal paste and tilak and to sit in the shop. If there were no customers, he would take up the garland of beads and would recite the name of the Bhagwan counting the beads.
An incident took place one day. Naradji's Viman (divine air-ship) was passing over the city. Narad desired to see the city. He landed the air-ship on the ground. Leaving the plane there, Narad set out to see the town. Jivaraj Seth's shop stood on the side of the ground. At that time Jivaraj Seth, sitting in his shop, was uttering the holy words, "Ram; Ram" and was counting beads. Naradji saw the Seth. He stood seeing him. He exclaimed, "Oh! What a great devotee !” Naradji also saw the marks of sandalwood on the forehead of the Sethji. He saw the garland of beads in his hand. Enough. He thought that the Seth was a great devotee. Naradji came to the shop. The Sethji saw Naradji and felt very happy. He stepped down from the shop and prostrated at the feet of Naradji. Naradji held the Seth with both his hands and helped him to stand up. Tears of joy flowed from the eyes of the Seth; and he began to speak, "Oh, divine sage ! You have rendered my doors sacred by placing your feet here. I am blessed by your visit. The Kalpavriksha (the divine tree that fulfils all desires) has come to my yard. I have attained Kamaghat, the holy vessel that fulfils all desires, Kamadhenu, the holy cow that fulfils all wishes. Kindly, come into my humble cottage, oh Gurudev !"
Naradji melted away seeing the Seth's humbleness, and on hearing the Seth's words which overflowed with devotion.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
