Way of Life Part 3

Author(s): Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana

Page 62

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THE WAY OF LIFE
ended. "The King's integrity has been broken....and he has planned to grab all my wealth. I think in this plan, the Chief Minister also has given co-operation to the King because while talking to me the King was glancing towards the Chief Minister. Now, I am unable to think of any method of saving my wealth. I am unable to think of any answers to those two questions. Let me go home and place this matter before the members of my family. If anyone of them can provide answers to these questions, it would be very good; and I can save my wealth from being forcibly taken by the King". The merchant bitterly regretted his action of having shown his wealth to the King. But what could be done now? The root of the merchant's grief lay in his excessive faith and confidence in the King.
THE YOUNGEST DAUGHTER-IN-LAW SHOWS THE WAY OUT
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The merchant came home; and he was in utter gloom. The merchant did not even eat food. He called together the members of his family; and told them what had happened in the court. Each looked at the face of the other in absolute helplessness. All visualized the dark, dense clouds of a dreadful calamity. The merchant said, "Can anyone of you suggest any answers to the King's questions ?" Everyone's mind had been paralysed; and no answer occurred to anyone. All shook their heads and expressed their inability to find answers to those questions. The merchant's youngest daughter-in-law was silent. The merchant said to her, "Daughter! I did not act upon your suggestion; and the result is this calamity....Can you think of any answers to the King's questions ?" She replied, "Father! Do not worry. I will come personally to the court; and answer the King's questions. I will give the right answers".
The merchant said, "But the King wants the questions to be answered by me". She said, "You must tell the King that you would not answer such simple and easy questions; and that even your youngest daughter-in-law can answer those questions. I will come to the Court after you go there".
The next day, the merchant went to the Court. He had a cheerful face. The King said, "Have you brought the answers