Book Title: Way of Life Part 4
Author(s): Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana

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Page 219
________________ DISCOURSE 88 202 heartedly. One man used to get fever whenever he heard Bhagwan Das praised. Bhagwan Das had never caused any harm to him; nor had he spoken harshly to him at anytime. Yet he was bitterly jealous of Bhagwan Das. That man had no relationship of any kind with Bhagwan Das; nor had he suffered anything on account of him. This sinful propensity of jealousy kept increasing and he was waiting for an opportunity to ruin Bhagwan Das. One day, when night had fallen and when darkness had enveloped the earth, he set fire to the house of Bhagwan Das. The house began to burn. Bhagawan Das managed to come out of the house taking the members of his family with him. A large number of people came running and began to extinguish the fire. All the people were shocked and grieved by the incident. They began to say to one another, “Who has done this wicked deed of setting fire to the house of this great man ? If we can find out who he is we will throw him into these flames". The people were raging with anger and indignation. Bhagwan Das stood calmly with the members of his family near the burning house. Some people tried to comfort him, "Please tell us whom you suspect. We will inflict such a severe punishment upon him that he will not be alive to commit another enormity of this kind”. Bhagwan Das said, “Brothers! Why do you speak thus of that man ? How delighted he would be today? He must have been desiring for a long time to set fire to my house. To-day, his desire has been fulfilled. No punishment should be given to him. God is testing me and I must succeed in this test. Only he who can forgive even an offender can attain success in God's test". The man who had made the villainous scheme and had carried it out, came and fell at the feet of Bhagawan Das and begged for his forgiveness. He was full of repentance for his wicked action. How magnificent was Bhagawan Das' attitude towards the offender ? He never thought of adopting Abhinivesh (vengeful propensity) to take revenge against the offender. He said to the offender, “Brother, you please go home. Do not tell anyone Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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