ANAND SHRAVAK - THE TRUE SHRAVAK

There, once lived a king named Jitshatru in the town of Vanijya. There also lived a rich householder
named Anand in the same town. He was a millionaire. He was so rich that he had four millions of
gold coins, an equal amount in cash, had invested an equal amount in trade, in ornaments, and other
assets. He also owned 40,000 cows. He was highly respected by the king as well as the people of the
town.One day, Lord Mahavir visited this town and gave a sermon. Upon hearing the sermon of the
Lord, Anand, at the age of 50 years, undertook to observe the twelve vows. He observed them for
fourteen years, and then, upon holding a dinner for family relations, invited his family to his room. He
entrusted his property to his sons and expressed a desire to spend the rest of his life in penance. He
also told them that no one should seek his advice in worldly affairs anymore. He thus stopped
worldly activities for rest of his life. One day, when Anand Shravak was meditating in Kayotsarga
(meditation), a Dev from heaven, out of curiosity, decided to test Anand Shravak’s concentration. The
Dev found Anand Shravak undaunted and was unable to shake his concentration. Because of his pure
mental spiritual condition at that time, Anand Shravak attained Avadhignan (limited special
knowledge). Once, while collecting Gochari (food) Gandhar Gautamswami overheard people talking
about Anand Shravak’s poor health and he had attained the Avadhignan, so Gautamswami decided to
visit Anand Shravak. When Gautamswami arrived at Anand Shravak’s house, Anand Shravak offered
his salutation laying in bed and told Gautamswami that he had attained Avadhignan extending up to
the twelfth heaven. Gautamswami told Anand Shravak that such knowledge was not possible for any
Shravak. Thus, he told Anand Shravak to ask for forgiveness for telling a lie. Anand Shravak asked
Gautamswami, “Is it necessary to ask for forgiveness for telling the truth ?” Gautamswami said,
“No.” Then Anand Shravak said that he believed that he is not required to ask for forgiveness.
Although Gautamswami could have found out the truth of the matter by applying his own special
knowledge, since his Guru Lord Mahavir was there, he went to Lord Mahavir. When Gautamswami
told Lord Mahavir about the incident with Anand Shravak, Lord Mahavir advised Gautamswami that
Anand Shravak was telling the truth and it should be Gautamswami who should be asking for
forgiveness. Gautamswami realized his mistake and without any hesitation, he immediately went
back to Anand Shravak and apologized for his mistake and requested for his forgiveness. As Anand
Shravak approached death, he fasted for a month until death and was born as a Dev in the Saudharma
heaven. After the completion of that life, he will be reborn in Mahavideh (another planet) and get
liberation. The essence of human life is to practice at least one or all twelve vows in daily life and thus
make our life sublime. This story also tells us how humble Shravak should be in correcting the
mistakes of their teachers. It also shows how simple, humble and a true follower of Lord Mahavir,
Gautamswami was that once Lord Mahavir pointed out his mistake, he went to Anand Shravak
without any arguments or thinking that he being the first deciple (Gandhar) of Lord Mahavir why
should he ask for forgiveness. It also shows that how great was the teacher, Lord Mahavir that even
though it was the mistake of his first deciple, he did not cover it up but on the contrary he took the
side of truth and explained Gautamswami his mistake.
ANATHIMUNI AND KING SHRENIK
Once king Shrenik went on a horse ride away from his capital. He came to a park known as
Mandikux. It was the best part of the spring season. All the trees and entire plant life was lovely
green; there were fully blossomed flowers of different colors; birds of multicolor hues were flying
here and there and sweet music was emanating from the streams flowing with crystal clear water.
Shrenik was fascinated and felt very happy to see the lavish splendor of nature. He enjoyed his ride in
various parts of the park. Then, he happened to see a Muni meditating under a tree. He went closer
and noticed that the Muni was very youthful, handsome and attractive. Shrenik could not imagine a
reason as to why a person like him would have renounced the world. Bowing to him the king sat in
front of him. When the Muni looked at him, the king asked the reason for renouncement in the prime
of youth. The Muni briefly replied that it was because of his helplessness. Shrenik could not believe
that a handsome and attractive youth like the Muni could be really helpless. He however offered to
extend all kinds of help and shelter, if the Muni intended to go back to the worldly life once again.
The Muni smiled and said that Shrenik himself was shelterless; how could he then provide shelter to
others ? Shrenik could not believe his ears when he heard this. He thought that the Muni had not
recognized him. He therefore told him that he was the king of Magadha; he had a large army; he

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commanded respect from all the people; he had beautiful wives and well behaved sons; he had
obedient servants; he had enough wealth and other possessions inclusive of many elephants, horses
etc. How could he be called helpless or shelterless ? The Muni again smiled and said that Shrenik had
not understood what the Muni meant by calling him helpless. He therefore asked the king to patiently
hear why he had become a Muni. The Muni said that he was the resident of Kaushambi. His father,
Dhansanchay, was a wealthy man. He had affectionate brothers and sisters. He had a beautiful,
lovely, good natured wife who loved him with all her heart. He had thus all the happiness and
material comforts that the worldly life could provide. And he actually enjoyed the life in every
respect. Once however, he got an eye disease. It soon got very acute and unbearable. His whole body
was severely afflicted by burning sensation. All his relatives and friends got together. They were
very much agitated to witness the pain that he was undergoing. His father immediately called for the
expert physicians. They tried hard to stop the pain by administering different medications, but failed
to provide any relief. Muni felt very miserable when their expertise could not help even in reducing
the pain. His father was willing to spend any amount for relieving him of the pain. Nothing however
helped. His parents tried to console him with affectionate soothing words, but that did not any way
help in reducing the pain. His brothers and sisters also could not do anything in the matter. His
lovely wife was all the time sitting by his side and was delicately caressing his body. At the same
time, she was sobbing and cursing herself that her efforts did not prove to be of any help to her
husband. She and others applied sandalwood and other different types of perfumed soothing pastes;
but none of them proved to be of any help. So, he realized that no type of expertise and no amount of
love of his beloved or the affection of his close relatives were of any avail to him. When all their
efforts and all the wealth of his father failed to produce any relief, he felt the most miserable. A sense
of total helplessness overtook him. He could see that such types of afflictions that arise in life, are
mostly beyond anybody’s control. Only the afflicted person had to bear the pain. He could thus
realize from his own experience that worldly happiness is short-lived and unreliable. It is fraught
with many dangers. He could also conjecture that many types of afflictions, he must have faced on
different occasions in the earlier lives. He could not however visualize ultimate end of such
afflictions. He therefore decided that if he got cured of the pain, he would renounce the worldly life
and seek ever lasting happiness. This decision gave him badly needed internal strength. He could
close his eyes and fell asleep. When he woke up, his pain had almost gone. All his relatives felt much
relieved to notice that he was no longer experiencing the pain. After a while, he explained to them
what he had decided while undergoing the pain. Eventually, he secured permission from all of them to
renounce the worldly life and to become a Muni. Since he had undergone the real helplessness while
bearing the pain, he had decided to call himself ‘Anathi’ which means one who is helpless. His sole
endeavor was now to seek lasting happiness. He then asked the king whether he could protect himself
or anyone from the physical afflictions and other miseries that come from time to time. The king had
to admit that he was helpless in the matter. Muni then pointed out that on that very account he had
addressed the king as helpless. The Muni then explained that people in general try to gain material
comforts and other worldly happiness that always will be short lived. They therefore feel miserable
when that so called happiness comes to an end. It should always be kept in mind that seeking material
comforts cannot be our ultimate objective. We should look beyond the horizon and try to gain
spiritual well being that lasts and stays beyond this life. Seeking worldly happiness, in a way, amounts
to pursuing the mirage. People, however, willingly undergo all types of hardships for gaining the
ephemeral happiness; while they blissfully stay forgetful of the soul that lasts forever and is the source
of enduring happiness. The king could see the truth of what Muni said. He felt ashamed that he had
invited the Muni to enjoy worldly happiness. He therefore begged pardon for his foolish gesture.
Then bowing the Muni with all humbleness, Shrenik went back to Rajgruhi.
ANTUKARI BHATTA
In the city of Avanti, there lived a merchant named Dhana, whose wife’s name was Kamalashri. He
had a daughter born to him after eight sons. She was named Bhatta. She was loved by everybody in
the household, and no one ever addressed her by the belittling ‘Tu’ (you). Because of this, she took
the prefix an-tu-kari (one not addressed as ‘Tu’) before her name. Her education started at the age of
eight, under many teachers, some experts in arts, and others in spiritual matters. When she stepped
into her youth, the merchant started to look for a suitable groom for her. When Bhatta came to know

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of this, she announced that she would marry only one who would never disobey her. Otherwise, she
preferred to remain a spinster. Now, this was a difficult condition, and it was by no means easy to
find a man who would be so very submissive to his wife. Bhatta was a real beauty, and reports about
her spread far and wide. Many young men wanted to marry her but were discouraged by her
overbearing condition. Years passed, and Bhatta’s youth was now fading out. One day, minister
Subuddhi’s eyes fell on her, and he decided to accept her hand, despite the condition; and made the
proposal to her father. The merchant was happy, and Bhatta was at last settled in domestic life. At her
new home, Bhatta started as a severe task-mistress. No one dared to disobey her, not even the
minister. Bhatta ordered her husband to return from his office before sundown without fail, and the
minister agreed. The king noticed this change in the minister’s routine and asked him one day about it.
The minister was hesitant to come out with the truth and also didn’t want to make a false statement
before the king. The other courtiers said in joke, “Sire ! It’s the order of his newly acquired wife
which the minister fulfills. He dares not to disobey.” At this, the king turned to the minister and said,
“Is that right ?” The minister did not hide anything. As the minister stood up to go before it was
evening, the king detained him. The minister was restless and trembling, but he could say nothing.
The king let him to go only at late hours of the night. Anger blinds and deprives one of all senses.
Bhatta was all fire and locked the entrance. The minister knocked and knocked, but there was no
response for a long time. Then suddenly the door opened, and Bhatta walked away at a hurried pace
without speaking a single word. This was sheer foolishness. To move alone at midnight could not be
a venture free from danger, particularly for a young lady. She fell in the hands of thieves, who were
happy to get a nymph-like woman in costly clothes and ornaments. They took her to their den and
stripped her of all her valuables. Then, clad in ordinary dress, she was passed on as a gift for the
chief’s use. As the chief approached her, Bhatta thundered, and the chief had no more courage to
touch her. But she was not allowed to leave the den either; and she was severely tormented every
day. What an irony of fate for a woman who had spent her life in great care and comfort ! Bhatta
silently bore physical suffering, but did not deviate from the path of purity. It virtually turned out to
be a trial of strength between purity and villainy. The chief’s mother saw the ordeal of the captive
woman day after day. At last, she said to her son, “My son ! This does not seem to be an ordinary
woman. In agonizing her, you are committing great sins. If she curses you, I am sure you will be
nowhere. So I suggest that in your own interest, you should desist from tormenting her and should
not invite unnecessary danger.” From that day, the chief stopped his tortures, and after some time, he
sold her out to a trader in exchange for a handsome amount. Now, it was the trader’s turn to feel
attracted toward her, and he started seeking her company. But Bhatta was firm as a rock. The trader
then started agonizing her. Every day, he contrived to take blood from her body so that the woman
soon became pale and weak. Bhatta had the most miserable time. One day, Bhatta’s brother came to
the same city. He saw her from a distance and recognized her. He came to the trader to make
inquiries about how he came to have her in his house, but the trader could not give him true facts. But
the little that he came to know about her from the man was enough for him to understand his sister’s
misery. He at once paid the price to the trader and recovered his sister. He bought proper clothes and
ornaments for her and took her to his home. When the minister came to know of this, he took the lady
back with all honor and dignity due to her.
This brought a major change in Bhatta’s life. She was no longer dominant, but became the very
embodiment of humility and docility. This earned her great esteem at home and even outside. Once
there was a discussion on this point in heaven, and the king of the Devs spoke in very eloquent terms
of Bhatta’s patience and forgiveness. “No one can knock her out from these virtues,” he said. One
Dev decided to give a test and came down to the earth and hid in a corner of Bhatta’s house, wholly
invisible. It was at this time that two Munis came to beg oil for Muni Munipati who had been severely
burnt. Bhatta asked her maid to bring the container, but the invisible Dev pushed it down from her
hand. Bhatta remained calm and asked the maid to bring the second container, which was also pushed
down in the same manner; and this happened for the third time also. Now, the Munis were about to
leave, telling the lady not to disturb her mind because of the loss, nor to be angry with the maid after
they were gone. Bhatta said, “Oh Munis ! I bear anger toward no one. I have myself drunk the
bitterest cup of life on account of this passion (anger), and I know perhaps more than anyone where it
leads to and how much it costs. But I am sorry I could not give the oil. If you kindly give me a

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chance, I shall go myself and bring it for you. “ The Munis waited as Bhatta went in. The Dev tried
his prank with her too, but he was no match to her purity and couldn’t bother her. After the Munis
left, the Dev made his appearance and begged to be forgiven. He restored the oil in all the three
containers, so that nothing was really wasted. While departing, he said, “Great lady ! I am
overwhelmed at your purity and equanimity. Ask for a boon.” To this Bhatta said, “Oh Dev ! Thank
you so much for your appreciation and kind words. But I don’t desire anything, and I am content with
all that I have. I need no more.” The Dev once again expressed his admiration for her and departed
for heaven.
ARAM SHOBHA
There lived at Palasgram a Brahmin named Agnisharma. He was an expert in sacrificial rites and was
thoroughly versed in the four Vedas. His wife’s name was Jvalanashikha. He had a daughter named
Vidyutprabha who was extremely graceful. When Vidyutprabha was eight years old, her mother
passed away. This was a great shock to her. Besides, the responsibility of managing the household
was now on her young and immature shoulders. She would get up before sunrise, clean the house and
the kitchen; then she would follow the cattle to the jungle for their grazing. At midday she would be
back home, milk the cows, serve food to her father and take food herself, and follow the cattle to the
jungle again. She came back after sunset. After she had finished her daily duties, she would be
wholly exhausted. But she would not go to bed before her father, and she would get up before him.
Such was her daily routine. One day Vidyutprabha came to her father and said: “Father, I am
somewhat incapable of running the household alone. Even the bulls will break down under pressure
of so much work. So my request is that you marry some respectable lady so that she can share my
burden and the household will run well.” This was a good proposal and Agnisharma agreed. He soon
married and brought a new wife. Even Vidyutprabha was happy to receive a new mother. But the
happiness was not to last for long. The new mother had no training in household work; besides, she
was too lazy and easy-going. So all her expectations were washed away, and Vidyutprabha had only
remorse in store for her; but she would blame no one but her own luck. With a deep sigh, she would
say: “So long I worked for my father, but now I have the added burden of a mother. I sought
happiness but I have lost even what little I had.” In this manner, four years rolled by, and those were
long and unhappy years for the young girl. She was now a lass of twelve. One day while looking
after the cattle in the jungle, she lay under a tree and fell fast asleep. At that time, a big and dark snake
with bloodshot eyes slowly approached and addressed her in a human voice: “Charming maid ! Fear
me not. Do as I suggest. I have been living in this forest for a long time, and good luck prevailing, I
was happy here. But today my ill-luck has come up, and there are some charmers in this forest who
are in search of me. If they capture me, they will place me in a basket and make my life miserable.
So I seek shelter with you. Place me on your lap and cover me with your cloth. To shelter one in
distress is an act of righteousness.” Vidyutprabha woke up at the approach of the snake. She distinctly
heard all this and hurriedly thought that I did not do good Karmas in my previous life, and hence my
present misery. If now I don’t help this snake in distress, then the door to happiness will never open
for me. Thinking in this manner, she extended her hand to pick up the snake, placed it on her lap, and
covered it with her cloth. No sooner had she finished, the charmers arrived on the scene and made
inquiries about the snake. Vidyutprabha told them that she was sleeping and so she had no knowledge
of it. The charmers were convinced. After all, this is a young girl, they thought among themselves.
She would have been frightened to see the terrible snake. So it can’t be here. When they were gone
beyond sight, Vidyutprabha told the snake to come out and go its own way. But as she removed her
cloth, there was no snake to be seen. She didn’t know what happened but before she could think
further, she heard a voice saying: “I am overwhelmed by your courage, Oh charming maid ! Seek a
boon.” Vidyutprabha turned around and saw a Dev who was repeating the aforesaid words. She said:
“Oh the best among the Devs ! If you are pleased with me, then be good enough to do something to
help my cattle. Please give a forest cover to them. They are much oppressed by the rays of the sun.”
The Dev cast a deep sigh and thought, “What a request ! She could have gotten rid of her poverty.
She appears to be ignorant. Whatever that may be, her wishes must be duly honored.” So, he created
a forest above her, as charming as the Nandanvan, the celebrated heavenly forest. Then he said to her:
“Here is your forest, in it you will get trees yielding all sorts of fruits and flowers. Wherever you go,
this will follow you like an umbrella. Like a divine damsel you will freely play in it, and your cattle

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will suffer no more. If at any time in the future you are in difficulty, think of me and I shall come to
your service.” The Dev disappeared. Vidyutprabha ate sweet fruits from that forest and returned
home in the evening. The mother asked her to take food, but she had no appetite. From then on, she
would go to the forest early in the morning and return home in the evening. There she would be
playing throughout the day while her cattle would be grazing. One day as she was lying under a thick
tree, king Jitshatru of Patliputra with his retinue was passing by that way. He was delighted to see the
divine forest and decided to rest there for some time. The king’s throne was placed under a tree; the
pack animals were let loose to eat grass; the chariots were parked in a shady spot; and the men were at
ease, gossiping and relaxing. This disturbed the peace of the forest and Vidyutprabha’s cattle fled
away. When Vidyutprabha woke up, she found that the cattle had disappeared. So, she rushed forth to
find them. Now, as she moved, the forest-umbrella over her head moved too, and the king and his
retinue were also moving, all topsy-turvy. This was a great surprise for the king. He was anxious to
discover its secret and came to know that the forest was moving with the girl. So he asked his
minister to approach the girl and request her to go back to her original position, assuring her that his
men would find her cows. The minister did as per the king’s command. As soon as the girl returned,
the forest stopped still. The king’s men and animals were restored to order, and the king was happy.
Then the minister said: “Your Majesty ! The surprise we experienced seems to be all due to this girl.”
The king replied: “Truly so. Is she a nature goddess, or a girl from the another world, or even a
damsel from heaven ? She would be a precious acquisition for the palace of any king.” The minister
agreed. At the king’s wishes, he went to the girl, told her all about the king, and finding her favorably
disposed, at the right moment, he proposed for her hand for his master. Vidyutprabha was abashed and
said: “High-born damsels don’t select their husband. He is selected for her by the parents. You may
like to converse with my father. His name is Agnisharma, and he lives in the village nearby.” The
minister went to her father and narrated the whole thing. This became a moment of great joy for
Agnisharma, too. He was brought to the presence of the king in the forest. Now, the king didn’t want
any delay and so the marriage was celebrated then and there as per Gandharva rites. The king wanted
to change the name of his new consort, and as she had a forest umbrella-cover on her head, she was
henceforth to be called Aram Shobha (meaning comfort and grace). To put the Brahmin in affluence,
the king bestowed on him revenue from twelve villages. Then the king mounted on the elephant in the
company of his wife ready to depart. The forest was still on her head. The minister went ahead of the
party to organize the reception of the royal couple at the capital. It was a great occasion. People
everywhere, singly or in groups, were talking of the good luck of the monarch. These words, as they
reached the king’s ears, made him happy, too. The royal couple were now at the palace, where all
comforts were provided for the new queen. The king and the queen lived henceforth a good life.
Now, Brahmin Agnisharma had a daughter from his newly married wife. When she came of age, her
mother thought that if somehow Aram Shobha dies, then the king might be pleased to consider her
own daughter to be worthy of him; and to kill the daughter of a co-wife is no sin, she said to herself.
So she hatched a plot and one day said to her husband: “Aram Shobha has been at her husband’s
home for many years now, but we have never sent her anything. For girls, things from there parental
homes are particularly dear.” The Brahmin smiled and said, “Aram Shobha is no longer poor. She is
now a queen and hardly needs anything from us.” Agnishikha (Brahmin’s second wife) protested:
“Even though the father-in-law’s home has affluence all around, anything sent by parents is dear to a
girl. Though rich, daughters expect occasional gifts from their former home.” The Brahmin could not
argue with that. The lady prepared Kesariya Modaka (a delicious sweetmeat), poisoned it, placed it
inside a pot and sealed it. Then she entrusted it to her husband, saying: “You give it to Aram Shobha
and no one else. Even Aram Shobha is not to share the sweets with anyone. If she shares it with
others, we shall be put to ridicule, poor as the stuff is, and poor as we are.” Agnisharma could not read
into the evil design of his wife. He picked up the pot and turned his steps toward Patliputra. When he
approached the capital city, he decided to rest for a while. He placed the pot beneath a Banyan tree on
the wayside and lay down to rest and was soon fast asleep. A Yaksha used to live on that tree. By dint
of his great insight, he came to know of the evil design of the Brahmin woman. He thought that when
there is such an able one like me here, can anybody put Aram Shobha to the torture of death ? Has
she not accumulated much righteousness in her previous birth ? Thinking so, he replaced the
poisoned Modaka with a good one, delicious like nectar. After some time, the Brahmin got up, picked
up the pot, and resumed his journey. At last, he was at the palace gate. His arrival was duly

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announced, and with the royal sanction, the Brahmin was conducted inside the court. The Brahmin
profusely blessed the king. Then there were mutual inquiries about health, after which the Brahmin
presented the pot to the king. The king was very happy and ordered it immediately to be carried to the
queen’s chamber. The Brahmin was honored by gifts of clothes and ornaments. Now the king was in
Aram Shobha’s chamber. He thought of the Modaka and wanted to have a portion of it. Happily the
queen opened the pot, and, what joy, the whole chamber was filled with its fragrance. The king said:
“Surely this Modaka is prepared with nectar.” The king cast a lustful glance at the queen and
requested her to distribute it to all her co-wives. In deference to the king’s wishes, Aram Shobha did
it with her own hands. All the queens were happy to taste it and all spoke in glowing terms of the
skill of her mother. When the king came back to the court, the Brahmin made a prayer for his
daughter’s going to his home for once. To this, the king smiled and said: “The queen does not see
even the sun; so how can she go to her parents home?” The Brahmin returned on fulfillment of his
mission and reported it to his wife. The lady was now waiting to hear about her stepdaughter’s death.
But the news didn’t come and she grew restless. Perhaps the sweet was not sufficiently poisoned, she
reasoned. So, she resolved to make a renewed attempt and continue it until her goal was attained.
This time she poisoned the Modaka very heavily, packed it as before and dispatched it with her
husband with the same sort of message. The Brahmin was again on the road to Patliputra. When he
arrived beneath the same Banyan tree, he was tired, lay down and fell fast asleep. As before, the
Modaka was changed by the Yaksha, was later taken to the court and delivered to the king. This time,
too, the Modaka was tasted by all the queens, and both Aram Shobha and her mother were praised by
all. But the coveted bad news about Aram Shobha’s death did not arrive, and the Brahmin lady was
bitter and highly depressed. So she repeated the mischief for the third time, mixing this time the most
dreadful Talaput poison with it. She also insisted that Aram Shobha should be brought once to her
parental home, and if the king did not agree, she advised her husband to use his Brahminical power to
force his hands. The Brahmin started again and came under the same Banyan tree, where everything
repeated as before, so that the Modaka was changed, and once again, at the palace, everyone was
happy to taste the divine stuff and spoke in high praise of its sender. The court was now in full
session. Agnisharma made the proposal about his daughter’s going to her parental home and insisted
that her first child should, in fairness to the custom prevailing, be delivered there. But the king would
not budge. He said: “That has never been so, and that will never be.” The Brahmin now displayed his
Brahminical power and threatened to commit suicide right there if his request was not honored. He
said: “If you do not send Aram Shobha with me, then I shall stain you with the sin of murdering a
Brahmin. Oh king ! I gave you my daughter’s hand not on this term that she would never see her
parents at their own home. She too must be feeling keen to go there once. Will the parental affection
thus go unheeded ?” The minister intervened. “Your Majesty ! Surely this Brahmin has gone mad,
but if you do not agree, he will not hesitate to stain you with the blasphemy of killing him. So may it
be decided that the queen goes once.” Under so much pressure, the king reluctantly agreed. The
queen was given much treasure and was seen off along with her started her forest-umbrella.
Agnishikha had her plot wholly ready. She had a deep well dug behind her house. At the proper
moment, Aram Shobha gave birth to a godly child. She was then taken to the backyard of the house
for a wash, her stepmother attending. On seeing this well, Aram Shobha asked when it was dug. The
mother said: “This has been dug for you. You are now a queen, and there may be jealous people who
may poison your drinking water if it is fetched from a distance. Hence this arrangement for your
safety.” Aram Shobha took it all as said and bent to have a look inside. As she did so, the stepmother
pushed her into it. As she was going down, her mind went back to the Dev who had once promised
her help, and he readily appeared on the scene. He supported her by his hand and made her sit on a
comfortable place. He would have punished Agnishikha on the spot for her misdeed but desisted as
Aram Shobha held fast his feet. In the nether world, the Dev built a chamber for her stay. The forest-
umbrella too stayed with her there. Agnishikha now dressed her daughter in the clothes of a woman
who has recently delivered a child and placed her on the couch. When the maids returned, they
expressed surprise to see a lusterless and uncouth woman with a plump frame lying there. False Aram
Shobha said: “I don’t know why all this has happened, but it seems some internal disease or disorder
is the cause of my physical change.” When the maids reported the matter to Agnishikha, she rushed
wailing and striking her chest: “Oh daughter ! How has this happened ? Has anybody cast
inauspicious glances at you ? Or is it due to gastritis or some organic trouble ? Alas ! All my sweet

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dreams may come to an end !” She pretended to make all possible arrangements for her restoration,
but none yielded any result. Now, the minister came to take the queen back. The party started for
Patliputra. On the way, when the maids asked why the forest-umbrella was not there, false Aram
Shobha said that it had gone to the well to take water and would soon follow. When the party was in
the vicinity of Patliputra, the king arranged a fitting welcome. He was pleased to see a godly son but
was sorry at the queen’s plight. When he inquired the cause of it, she repeated the same words as
before some internal disease or disorder. The king’s sorrow knew no end. When he inquired about
the forest, the lady said: “When I came, it was taking water at the well. So I have left it behind. It
will come itself after some time.” The king had some doubt about the lady. Was it Aram Shobha or
someone else who had stepped in her place ? He apprehended that there might be a trick behind it,
some sort of mischief. He said to her again: “My dear ! Bring that forest back. I feel so uneasy
without it.” And there was the same evasive reply: “Please don’t be anxious, Sir ! It will come back
in time.” The king’s doubt was now largely confirmed. This was another lady, and there must have
been some mischief-mongering at his cost. The plot must be unfolded.
At the other end, Aram Shobha was safe and comfortable at her underground shelter, and all her needs
were taken care of by the Dev. One day she said to him: “I feel very uneasy for my son. It behooves
you, Oh Dev, to do something to relieve me of this situation.” “This can be done by dint of my power,
but only on one condition. At night you may go to your son, but you must return before sunrise. If
you fail, then you forfeit my assistance forever. And in that case, a dead snake will drop from your
braid, and that will sever our link beyond repair. If you agree, then your desire to meet your son may
be fulfilled,” said the Dev. Aram Shobha agreed. With the Dev’s power assisting her, she reached the
palace, embraced the child in her arms and was happy to play with him. When the time for her return
approached, she placed the child on the couch, scattered some fruits and flowers from her forest, and
left. When in the morning the matter was reported to the king, he made inquiries about it from the
queen who said: “My Lord ! I brought these fruits and flowers from my forest and scattered them
here.” The king said: “If that be so, then bring some fruits and flowers from the forest right now.”
She replied: “Well, Sir, I shall do so tonight.” The king had no more doubt about the mischief played
on him. The event was repeated on the second night, and then on the third, this time the king himself
keeping watch. With a sword in his hand, he sat in the shadow of a lamp. At the right hour, Aram
Shobha came, embraced the child and started playing with him. The king had no doubt as to who she
was, but he restrained himself. Aram Shobha left the palace before sunrise. In the morning, he went
to false Aram Shobha and said: “Lady ! If you can restore the forest, well and good. Otherwise, I
have no need of you. Go away.” The earth now slipped away from beneath the woman’s feet. She
didn’t know what to do. The king rebuked her harshly and returned to the court. On the fourth night,
Aram Shobha came as usual to her son. The king was in hiding. Now, before sunrise, as she was
about to return, he held her hand and said: “My dear, why this trick with me ? Come back to your
palace. I can no longer abide your absence.” Aram Shobha was taken aback. She tried to free herself
but failed. In a helpless tone she said: “Sir, there is some serious reason behind it. Please don’t delay
me tonight. I shall come again tomorrow at the same hour and narrate the whole thing to you. If you
don’t release me now, I shall have cause to repent throughout my life.” The king said: “My dear ! My
eyes have been languishing for you for many days. Now that you are within my grip, how can I let
you go ? Tomorrow is far off; even a moment would be too long.” Aram Shobha was between a
frying pan and the fire. To narrate the whole thing to the king would take a lot of time, and the
sunrise was not far off. If she did not do so, the king would not release her. She could not refuse the
king, whatever the risk. She tried to be brief but all in vain. Meanwhile, the early rays of the sun burst
forth on the earth, and the dead snake dropped from her braid, as predicted. “How unfortunate I am !
Alas, I am undone !” These words dropped from her lips as she herself dropped senseless on the
ground. When restored to her senses, she was only moaning and wailing. The king consoled her by
saying: “My dear ! Who can avoid the inevitable ? Whatever was destined has happened. Forget the
past and look forward to a golden future.” The king was now rageful toward the false Aram Shobha.
She was handed over to the guards and severely beaten. Aram Shobha pleaded mercy for her sister,
and the king couldn’t deny it to her. But she was expelled from the city, and her father was deprived
of the twelve villages and the treasures bestowed on him. The family was turned out from the
kingdom for good. Aram Shobha was happy once again. One day the king and the queen were in

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conversation, when the queen thought, my early life has been spent in distress followed by happiness
now. These are all the outcome of Karmas, good as well as bad, acquired in a previously. I must
know them. In those days, Acharya Virbhadra with his spiritual family of five hundred Munis was
present there, and the royal couple thought of benefiting from the presence of the celebrated Acharya.
After the queen had listened to the Acharya, she fainted. When she recovered, she made the following
submission: “Your Holiness ! The account of my previous life as given by you is wholly correct.
With my reawakened memory, I can fully testify to it. But I am now uneasy about the worldly
existence. With the permission of my husband, the king, I desire to be initiated by you into the holy
order.” Needless to add, the king approved of her noble wishes. He, too, revealed his mind in the
following words: “My dear ! Once having known the worthlessness of the worldly life, who wants to
remain any longer in it ? I too shall follow you.” Then, turning to the Acharya, he said: “Your
Holiness ! I shall presently return to the palace and crown Aram Shobha’s son Malaysundar as king.
Immediately thereafter I shall return to you. Until I come back, may your Holy Grace not withdraw
from this city !” The king went back to the palace and placed the young prince on the throne. Then
both the king and the queen were initiated into the holy order. They spent their time acquiring
scriptural knowledge and soon became profound. The king, now a Muni, was nominated by the
Acharya as his successor to the holy chair, and under his able guidance, the order flourished. Aram
Shobha became the head of the order of nuns. For many years, they served the order and then gave up
their mortal frames through spiritual fasts and attained coveted higher places.
ARAM SHOBHA’S PREVIOUS BIRTH
At Champapuri, there lived a very rich merchant named Kuladhar. Kulnand was the name of his wife.
The merchant had seven daughters named as follows: Kamalashri, Kamalavati, Kamala, Lakshmi,
Sarasvati, Jayamati and Priyakarini. They were as beautiful as they were proficient. They were all
married to merchants of very noble birth. An eighth daughter was born to Kuldhar, but she was less
fortunate. The parents were so unhappy at her birth that they did not perform even her naming
ceremony. The girl grew up and stepped from childhood into youth. But her father was indifferent to
her future happiness and did not bother to settle her in life. If some member of his household drew his
attention to this, he would only say that she would be settled as soon as a right groom was available,
and that he was on the lookout for one. One day, as the merchant was seated at his shop, a stranger
young man came up to him. His dress was poor and his hairs were disheveled and infested with lice.
The merchant said to him: “ Who are you ? Where do you come from ? What country do you belong
to ?” The youth replied: “Sir, I belong to Koshalpur. Nandi is the name of my father and Soma is my
mother’s name. My own name is Nandan. I am penniless. I went to Chand Desh to do business but
my ill-luck followed me even there. At Chand Desh lives a merchant named Vasantdev who belongs
to this city. I am employed in his service. He has sent me with a letter which is to be delivered at his
house, but I don’t know its location. It will be a great favor done to me if you could direct me there.”
Kuladhar thought within himself that this would be a right groom for his youngest daughter. If I settle
my daughter’s marriage with this young man, then I can get rid of her. He said to the youth: “Young
man, you deliver the letter at Vasantdev’s house and come back at once.” The merchant sent one of
his attendants to accompany him. The young man came back to Kuldhar as he was asked to do. After
he had finished his shower, the merchant gave him clothes and food, and then, at the right moment, he
placed the proposal for his daughter’s marriage to him. The youth said: “I have to return this very day,
Sir.” The merchant replied: “There will be no difficulty. I shall make every arrangement accordingly,
and the ceremony itself will not take much time. For your subsistence, I shall later bestow wealth on
you.” The young man agreed, and the marriage ceremony was over within a few hours. The daughter
bade good-bye to her parents’ home. The couple then set out on the road to Chand Desh. When they
were near Avanti Desh, they took shelter in a temple to pass the night there. It was the dead of night,
and the bride was fast asleep. The young man thought that as my wife is with me, I cannot walk as
fast as I would like to. And if I go slowly like this, it will be necessary to spend a long time on the
way. I have scanty means to support both of us in the journey, and if it is exhausted, I would be
forced to beg. That will be highly unbecoming of me. So why don’t I give up my bride here ? This
will save me from a probable calamity. Thinking in this manner, he picked up whatever things he
could and immediately left the place. At sunrise, when the wife woke up, she found neither her
husband nor the means to support herself. She could hardly think of such a thing happening but was

8
soon reconciled to the hard reality and set her mind on the future. For a moment she thought of going
back to her parents, but then she thought about the life she had lived there and the sort of reception
she would receive now, and then she decided to court suffering to going back to a life of scorn. But
the very next moment she thought as to who would support her and how she would begin this new
life. The prospect of begging was not at all palatable, but she gathered courage and confidence and
thought, If all living beings support themselves, I too can do the same. I will take up some work to
support myself, but I shall preserve my purity. The brave lose nothing; instead, they find a way. The
woman got up and reached the marketplace of the city of Vishala. She stood in front of the shop of
merchant Manibhadra. She looked at him, as he looked at her. She had a feeling that this was a good
man. So she came nearer and said: “Father, I am on the lookout for some work. It will be a great
favor if you could give me some.” Manibhadra felt compassion for her, but he hesitated to take an
unknown woman into his household. He asked who she was and why she was there. The woman
said: “Sir, I am the daughter of merchant Kuladhar of Champapuri. I was on my was to Chand Desh
with my husband, but unfortunately I have been separated from him. So, I have come to you to seek
some job so that my days of suffering may be easily spent.” Manibhadra consoled her and showed her
affection. He invited her to stay in his household, and she was placed in charge of his household
affairs. He sent men in search of her husband, but no trace of him could be found. He also made
confidential inquiries about her parents, and they tallied with what she had told him. So she was
installed in Manibhadra’s family with full dignity, and, on her part, she won the affection of
everybody by dint of her good behavior. Now, Manibhadra built a magnificent Jain temple with high
gates and colorful flags. Kuldhar’s daughter went there daily to offer prayer and worship. She came
into contact with the nuns and acquired the knowledge of Nav Tattva (nine doctrines). Now she
became a Shravika like the great Sulasa, steadfast in equanimity. Manibhadra was never niggardly to
fulfill her wishes and held her in great esteem. Once she desired to donate three gold umbrellas
bedecked with jewels to be placed to cover the head of the Jina image, and this was readily arranged.
Much of her time was now devoted to penance, service to the holy order, and sundry religious
activities. One day Manibhadra sat deeply immersed in anxiety when Kuldhar’s daughter came to him
and inquired about the cause. In apprising her of the situation, the merchant said: “For the worship of
the god, the king entrusted me with the upkeep of a flower garden, and flowers collected there were
used daily for worship. But today the garden is suddenly dry. I tried my best to restore it to freshness,
but all my efforts have been in vain. I don’t know what hard steps the king would now take against
me for this.” She said: “Father, please don’t suffer with anxiety. Leave the matter to me. I shall set it
right. I command rock-like purity, and until the garden is restored to freshness, I give up my four
types of foods.” The merchant said, “Don’t say that, my daughter. Please don’t put me to ridicule by
taking my anxiety wholly on yourself.” She said: “Father, you know, a vow taken once cannot be
broken. You will just see that all the adverse forces will give way to the strength of my spirit.”
Kuldhar’s daughter returned to the Jina temple. Bowing before the image, she immersed herself deep
in Kayotsarga (meditation). She touched neither food nor drink. A day passed, followed by a second
and then a third. At last, Shasandevi, the controlling Devi of the order, made her appearance on the
third night and said: “My daughter, a Dev with a wrong outlook has played havoc with the garden.
But he could not withstand your purity and has fled. Your vow is fulfilled, and in the morning you will
find the garden restored to its freshness.” The morning saw the miracle happen. The garden was
restored to its beauty and freshness. Manibhadra was astonished. He rushed to Kuldhar’s daughter at
the temple premises to break the news and congratulate her. He said: “My daughter, my wishes have
been fulfilled by the strength of your purity and penance. It behooves you to break the fast now.”
With the speed of lightning, the news reached every household in the town, and all the men and
women of the town, came rushing to the temple. All spoke highly of her purity and the merchant’s
good luck who has such a worthy daughter in his house. Kuldhar’s daughter first offered food to the
Munis, served the same to the members of her order, and then broke her fast. This was indeed a great
day for the religion of the Jina. Many days passed thereafter. One night, at a late hour, as Kuldhar’s
daughter lay awake in her bed, a thought came to her: By good fortune, I am born in the order of the
Jina. But I cannot practice the great vows. This will be a severe failure on my part, so I must make
the best use of whatever limited capacity I have for spiritual advance. Now, she changed the course of
her life. Sometimes she would fast for two days, sometimes for three days, and sometimes for four
days, raising the duration gradually to a fortnight and then to a month. This reduced her body. Then

9
she undertook the final fast and ended her life through auspicious meditation. Thereafter she was born
in heaven and named Saudharmalok. Having completed her life there, she has been born in the house
of Brahmin Agnisharma as his daughter and has been named Vidyutprabha.
ASANGMATA
King Atimardan reigned in the city of Ratnapur. His son’s name was Lalitang. Lalitang was not only
a worthy son but was highly accomplished. It was spring and people had flocked to a public park. The
prince was there too, and so was the minister’s young and charming wife. It was an accident that their
four eyes met. The prince sent one of his peers to inquire of the woman when he could meet her alone.
The lady sent back the following message: “Such a thing is by no means easy. My husband is so
suspicious that he rarely lets me go out alone, nor does he allow anybody to come to our home. But
there is one way. There is a dry well adjacent to our house. Let the prince dig a tunnel linking that
well to his palace chamber. Once this is done, I shall take opportunity to quarrel with my husband
and jump into the well. I shall then enter the tunnel and be with the prince. That will not be a short
meeting, but rather a permanent union.” The prince did accordingly. When the tunnel was ready, on
an agreed day, the woman quarreled with her husband and jumped into the well. From there, she took
the tunnel and soon she was at the prince’s chamber. Now, as the woman jumped into the well, no one
had seen her. So they started a complete search of the city and its suburbia. Even the well was not
spared, but the woman was found nowhere, dead or alive. When the matter reached the ears of the
king, he held the minister guilty of murdering his wife and ordered for him imprisonment for life and
forfeiture of his entire property. When the prince heard of the king’s order, he was afraid and
mortified. He knew more than anyone else that he had been the cause of the poor minister’s fall. But
more than that he was apprehensive on his own score. His entire reputation would go to mud the
moment it were known that the minister’s wife was the prince’s concubine. Thus thoroughly shaken,
the prince fled the palace at once and entered into a forest, where he saw a Muni, to whom he said,
“Holy Sir ! I am a culprit. Can I be absolved of my guilt ?” The Muni saw a qualified soul in the
prince and encouraged him to join the holy order. The prince agreed, and thus started a new chapter
in his life. Once Muni Lalitang reached a park outside the city of Khsempur. There, on the bank of
the river, he started Kayotsarga (meditation). In the same city, there lived an atheist named
Asangmata who had neither respect for parents, elders and superiors, nor faith in the religion. By
nature, he was very arrogant. It so happened that the river at that time was in spate, and the whole
area was merged under deep water except the ground where the Muni stood. The news took no time
to reach the city, and people flocked to see this wonder. Many touched his feet and many derived
inspiration from his conduct. This aroused a tremendous jealousy in the atheist. Men like him are no
better than flies who do not appreciate real beauty but relish sitting on sores. He at once reached the
bank of the river, tied the Muni with a chain, piled logs around him and set fire to them. The Muni
took at ease the fire-bath, and the flames could do him no harm. The next morning, when the atheist
saw it with his own eyes, he was shaken to the core. He realized the great power of penance and bent
his head low in reverence before the Muni. There he stood, calm and fixed, reviewing within himself
the whole situation. He was a wholly changed man now, changed in thought and in conduct, and the
process was so quick that almost in a moment the shackles of Karmas were destroyed and he still
stood, facing the Muni, in possession of Kevalgnan.
ASHOK - THE KING IN THE HERMIT’S DRESS
Many people wondered: “How can a nation be defended if its people adopt nonviolence ?” It is a
rather difficult and hypothetical question. However, an emperor by the name of Ashok ruled India
with nonviolence and compassion in the third century, BC. Ashok was the emperor of peace and
social justice; he did not rule by force or accumulating material goods and wealth. Rather, he ruled by
treating all his subjects equally and justly. His example can guide us in establishing peace and justice
in the today’s world. Ashok was the grandson of the famous Chandragupta Maurya, a stringent
follower Jainism (A Shraman). Ashok succeeded his father, Bindusara, in 270 BC, and subsequently
inherited a kingdom that ranged from Afghanistan to Madras. In the first year of his regime, he
decided to annex a few small states to his empire, beginning with Orissa (Kaling). However, he was
touched by the cruelties, horrors, and evils of warfare. Upon seeing the human suffering and
bloodshed, he renounced war and developed an attitude of kindness and humanity. As his father and
grandfather followed Jainism, Ashok rose above religious intolerance and communalism. Many

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historians say that Ashok was neither a Jain nor a Buddhist, rather a kind ruler who presented a
compromising, noncommunal practical religious way to morally uplift and rule his people. Ashok
stopped expanding his kingdom and instead followed the principle of Ahimsa. He spent his days in
the moral, social, and economic pursuit of the happiness of his subjects. He treated all people as his
children, and built schools and hospitals for men and animals. He had trees planted along the roads
and erected rest areas for travelers. He established institutions for medical, religious, and
philosophical education. Ashok sent missionaries to Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand and the Far East.
Although he favored Buddhism, he was tolerant of all other religions. One of his edicts reads, “All
religions deserve reverence for some reason or another.” Thus, a man exalts his own religion, and at
the same time, does service to the religion of other people. To learn here, the foremost is that even an
Emperor can be content and follow Ahimsa (Non-violence) to rule Kingdom. We see religious
tolerance for others, devotion, and kindness, all these from a man who was the Emperor.
BHIMKUMAR
King Narvahan reigned in the city of Kamalpur. His queen’s name was Malti, and his son’s name was
Bhimkumar. The prince was well known for his physical vigor. One day, he saw a Muni in the
garden and sat down near him. The Muni discovered a qualified soul in the prince and revealed to
him the secrets of religion. The prince felt so inspired at this that he took the vows of a Shravak. One
day, a heretical Muni of the Kapalik order came to the prince. He carried some fruits and flowers in
his hands. He placed them before the prince and said: “The great do not refuse a seeker. I have come
to you with a request. May I hope that you will fulfill it ?” He continued: “It is twelve years from
now as you move back in the past that I started the propitiation of an art. It will reach its completion
on the next Chaturdasi (fourteenth day of the fortnight). Now, on that day, I need someone to assist
me, and, in my opinion, no one is more competent than you for that purpose. Hence I am here. Will
you help me ?” The prince was never afraid of adventures. He agreed. On the agreed day, he went
with him. The minister’s son, who happened to be his friend, tried to prevent him, but the prince
could not be dissuaded. With an unsheathed sword in his hand, the prince reached the cremation
ground. The Kapalik marked a plot for his use, propitiated a goddess, and extended his hand to catch
the prince’s head. The prince, who was very alert, thundered at once: “Stay away and mind your own
business. One more step toward me, and your dead body will roll on the ground. You should know
for certain that not even the Devs are capable of facing me.” This upset the Kapalik’s entire plan. So
he thought of exerting strength and attacked the prince with an open knife in his hand. The Kapalik
shouted: “Prince ! Remember your God ! You didn’t respond to my persuasion, so I must subdue you
by force. I must have your head. This is absolutely essential for completion of my propitiation.” The
prince laughed at him without showing any concern. “Fool ! Only the weak have submitted to your
threats. The head of a lion is never within the reach of a jackal like you.” A duel started at once. The
prince gave such a severe blow on the heretic’s head that he fell on the ground. The prince was on his
neck. Once he thought of severing it, but the next moment he took pity on the poor soul and released
him after giving him a good thrashing. Once free, the ungrateful Kapalik caught the prince unaware
and hurled him into the sky. The prince was at once held by a Yaksha’s wife, Kamala by name, who
was at that moment flying overhead. She liked him very much and brought him straight to her abode
on the Vaitadhya hills. The prince was under a vow of restricted celibacy and did not respond to the
lusty overtures of the Yaksha lady. Kamala was a good soul. She appreciated the steadfastness of the
prince and praised him eloquently. When the two were in conversation, the prince heard some musical
instruments being played in accompaniment with some chanting. On inquiry, the prince learned that a
few Munis were there in the neighborhood. He expressed keenness to see them. As he was escorted
there, a demon made a sudden appearance and snatched away the prince’s sword. The prince at once
caught him and mounted on his back to bring him down. But the demon had great physical strength.
With the prince on his back, he flew in the sky and landed near a temple. Inside the temple stood the
Kapalik, holding a young man by his hair and thundering: “Remember your God. These are your last
moments. I shall cut your head off with this sword.” Undaunted by the terrible environment, the
youth was heard saying: “I seek refuge with the Jinas, who are free from lust and attachment.
Bhimkumar is my savior; I beseech refuge with him, too.” At these words, the Kapalik’s rage reached
its peak. He shouted: “Don’t mention his name, you wretch. He is a coward, and you should be
ashamed in beseeching refuge with him. Had he been really powerful, he would not have hidden

11
from my gaze.” Just then the prince made his appearance and said: “You rascal ! Why do you want to
kill him ?” When the Kapalik saw Bhimkumar, he released the young man and ran after Bhimkumar.
They started a deadly battle between the two. But soon the prince got the upper hand and held the
heretic against the ground, telling him: “My dear fellow ! In your life, you have asked many to
remember their God. Now it is your turn to do the same. There is no one to save you.” Just then the
goddess whom the Kapalik worshipped, came down from the image, and, addressing the prince, said:
“Prince ! I am impressed by your courage. I beseech you to release my devotee. Please spare his
life. I am here to give you a boon.” The prince said: “Goddess ! If you are really pleased with me and
desire to give me a boon, then I pray you to desist from this carnage from today on. You should agree
that life is dear to everybody. I beseech nothing else.” The goddess agreed and disappeared. The
prince now turned to the young man and was delighted to find that it was the minister’s son. He at
once embraced him and said: “My dear friend ! This heretic was no stranger to you. Then how did
you step into his trap ?”The minister’s son answered: “Since you disappeared, we were very anxious.
Search was made everywhere and in all directions, but without fruitful result. Then the family deity
was propitiated, and we had it from her that you were safe and would soon return home with great
laurels. Now, as I was out to hear the talk of the town about you, this scoundrel caught me and
brought me here.” As the two were talking, there appeared a colossal elephant. With its stout trunk, it
picked up the two on its back and flew away. The two were placed outside a deserted city, and the
elephant disappeared. Leaving the minister’s son outside the city, the prince moved in. There he met
a man-lion who had the face of a human being but the body of a lion. He held a man between his
teeth, and the man was bitterly weeping. When the prince asked the animal to release the man, the
animal said: “I have been very hungry for a long time. After a long gap, I have my food. How can I
let it go ?” The prince said: “It appears to me, my dear fellow, that you have a Vaikriya (fluid) body. I
wonder how your body takes a human being as its food !” The man-lion responded: “You are right,
Sir. But he is my inveterate enemy from previous life. How do you think I can release him ? I will
kill him, and that alone will pacify my anger.” The prince tried utmost persuasion, but when that
failed, he applied force. He rescued the man from the animal’s mouth and stabbed the animal so
severely that he fled for his life. Now, with the same vehemence, he reached the palace. There he was
very cordially received by several maids. One produced a jar full of pure water, another washed the
prince’s feet, a third offered to take him to bath, a fourth offered him food, and a fifth decorated him
in costly robes and ornaments. The prince silently obliged all. Just then a Dev came, and, on inquiry
from the prince, made the following statement: “This city is named Kanakpur, where once reigned
king Kanakrath. His priest Sudatt was a fallen man and was very much despised by the residents of
this city. Since the priest would not improve, the matter was reported to the king, who severely
chastised the priest. Unfortunately, the priest died of depression. That priest is now born as a demon.
I am that demon, and sometime earlier, you saw me as a man-lion. The man whom you rescued from
my mouth was the king himself. But I congratulate you for your courage. It is I who arranged for
your reception at the palace. It is my great power again that has made the residents of this city
invisible.” Just then a Kevali arrived at the city park. The prince, the minister’s son, and the Dev went
to him. Even the elephant came there trumpeting wildly and dangling his trunk. The Kevali, who was
in the midst of his sermon, changed his topic and said: “This elephant is really a Yaksha who was the
grandfather of king Kanakrath. He brought Bhimkumar to this place to rescue his grandson. As
Bhimkumar has saved the king, the Yaksha is under a debt of gratitude to him.” The elephant now
changed into a Yaksha and this lent support to the words of the Kevali. The Yaksha then turned to the
prince and requested him to return to his city from which he was absent for a long time. His parents
were very much in distress ever since his disappearance in the company of the Kapalik. The Yaksha
even offered to help him to return. Then, at the prince’s request, he built an air-chariot on which the
prince and the minister’s son mounted. They soon returned to their own city. The king and the queen
were very happy to see their lost son. At the right moment, Bhimkumar was placed on the throne, the
king abdicating in his favor. Needless to say, Bhimkumar had a glorious reign, and he spent his last
days in the holy order of Munis, attaining liberation at death.
BHUTMATI
In a village named Kanthpur there lived a Brahmin named Bhutmati who was educated at Benaras.
He was not married till late in life as he had no proper means of maintenance. He was running a

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‘Pathshala’ (religious school) to earn his livelihood. Some of his followers gave him money for
marriage and he married a beautiful Brahmin maiden named Yagnadatta. With the passage of time he
became very much attached to her with love and found himself very happy in her company. Many
students from abroad came to his Pathshala for studies. One student named Devdatt was poor and so
he was allowed to live with Bhutmati at his place with food provisions. Devdatt made good progress
in his studies as he was very clever. Bhutmati also was very fond of him. Devdatt became very
friendly with Yagnadatta. Yagnadatta was young and she found no satisfaction with her husband,
Bhutmati. She was attracted to Devdatt. In the meanwhile Bhutmati received an invitation to
officiate a ceremony at Mutra city. He was likely to earn some money and fame there, so he decided
to attend the event. While leaving the place he said to his wife: “I cannot bear your separation even
for a moment but as we are running short of money I must go. I will return after four months and in
the meanwhile you live cautiously and be on your guard.” Hearing these words, Yagnadatta said: “I
cannot live without you even for a day, so postpone your journey for the present.” Bhutmati said: “I
equally cannot bear your separation, but grant me leave with pleasure and I will return as soon as I
finish my job.” Yagnadatta granted him leave with pleasure and Bhutmati instructed Devdatt to take
care of the house and his wife. Yagnadatta was now alone and she requested Devdatt to enjoy with her
sensual pleasures; the only reward of youth. Devdatt was reluctant but later on he stooped to her
carnal cravings. Devdatt became proof to all moral consciousness in course of time. Four months
had almost passed and Devdatt said: “Now your husband will arrive and drive me out.” Yagnadatta
said: “Don’t worry, I will plan something so that we can live together for ever.” One night
Yagnadatta brought from the funeral ground two corpses (male and female) and having placed them
on the coach and on the verandah respectively, left the house after setting it on fire. The fire spread
quickly and the crowd tried to extinguish the fire but it took a few hours. They found two corpses
totally burnt beyond identification; which were presumed to be the dead bodies of Yagnadatta and
Devdatt. The news reached Bhutmati who was simply stunned with regret. He promptly returned to
his town to find everything reduced to ashes. He fainted and on regaining consciousness piteously
lamented for his beloved wife Yagnadatta and wept for Devdatt too with words of affection. A
Brahmin friend who knew of the illicit communion of Yagnadatta and Devdatt said, “The wise don’t
lament after the happenings. Most women are very cunning and so it does not befit you to rely on a
woman so much.” His words were true but a man under delusion could not find them palatable.
Bhutmati on the contrary said to his Brahmin friend: “How dare you preach to me ? I am quite clever
to judge the character of my wife Yagnadatta. I can’t erase her grace and virtues from my mental
screen. Oh, Yagnadatta, when shall I see you ? Oh ! Devdatt, you too have left me.” That Brahmin
friend said: “Even the sense of highly learned men get stagnant under intense delusion as you don’t
hear relish my words which are beneficial for you. Whatever her character, you shall not see her now,
therefore, cast aside your attachment for her and pray to God for making the best of your life you have
left”. All his well-wishers left after expressing their felt condolences. Bhutmati having packed the
ashes of the (presumed) dead bodies of his wife and friend left Kanthpur early the next morning to
offer them to the waters of the sacred river Ganga. Now watch the mysterious designs of fate. No
sooner did Bhutmati enter a town near Ganga, he accidentally ran into Yagnadatta and Devdatt, who
happened to be living there. They were extremely shocked to see Bhutmati face to face, but there was
no alternative for them but to fall at Bhutmati’s feet. They said, “Oh Learned Scholar, pardon us. We
repent much for our faults, we were just thinking of coming to you.” Bhutmati said: “Who are you ?
What are you talking about ?” Devdatt said: “Don’t you recognize us ? This is your beloved wife
Yagnadatta and I am your favorite student Devdatt. We are talking with the learned scholar Bhutmati
who imparted learning to the students of Kanthpur.” But Bhutmati was not convinced. He said, “Oh,
you scoundrels ! Don’t try to cheat me. I am the last man to be taken in by you. My beloved wife
and my disciple have been already consumed in a fire that broke out suddenly in my house. I am
going to offer the holy ashes to the sacred Ganga. You do appear like Yagnadatta and Devdatt but you
are not them. You may be their spirits. Spirits often deceive human beings but bear in mind I am a
Brahmin—Bhoo-Dev (earthly god). I can burn you down with my power of incantations. I spare you
out of mercy. Leave from my sight or else terrible consequences shall follow.” Yagnadatta and
Devdatt got what they wanted. They immediately left. Bhutmati offered the ashes in Ganga. He
said: “Oh, God, Oh Lord, Grant peace and bliss to the souls of the dead. They were so pure and
deserved your mercy.” MORAL LESSON: We can realize to what extent a man under delusion loses

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his wisdom and sense of truth. Most of time our vision is blinded by preoccupied mind. How can a
person understand the religion, when he does not have the right knowledge of it ? Even highly
learned people get stagnant under the intense delusion created by too much attachment with others.
THE FIVE BLIND MEN AND ELEPHANT
Once an elephant came to a small town. People had read and heard of elephants but no one in the
town had ever seen one. Thus, a huge crowd gathered around the elephant, and it was an occasion for
great fun, especially for the children. Five blind men also lived in that town, and consequently, they
also heard about the elephant. They had never seen an elephant before, and were eager to find out
about elephant. Then, someone suggested that they could go and feel the elephant with their hands.
They could then get an idea of what an elephant looked like. The five blind men went to the center of
the town where all the people made room for them to touch the elephant. Later on, they sat down and
began to discuss their experiences. One blind man, who had touched the trunk of the elephant, said
that the elephant must be like a thick tree branch. Another who touched the tail said the elephant
probably looked like a snake or rope. The third man, who touched the leg, said the shape of the
elephant must be like a pillar. The fourth man, who touched the ear, said that the elephant must be
like a huge fan; while the fifth, who touched the side, said it must be like a wall. They sat for hours
and argued, each one was sure that his view was correct. Obviously, they were all correct from their
own point of view, but no one was quite willing to listen to the others. Finally, they decided to go to
the wise man of the village and ask him who was correct. The wise man said, “Each one of you is
correct; and each one of you is wrong. Because each one of you had only touched a part of the
elephant’s body. Thus you only have a partial view of the animal. If you put your partial views
together, you will get an idea of what an elephant looks like.” The moral of the story is that each one
of us sees things exclusively within one’s point of view. We should also try to understand other
people’s points of view. This will enable us to get a proper perspective on different situations and
events. We have to look at religion, truth and reality from a variety of angles of vision. Jainism calls
this the relativism or the doctrine of several viewpoints (Syadvad or Anekantvad). Hinduism,
Buddhism, etc., have similar theories.
BLIND MAN LED BY A LAME MAN
A city caught fire and all the residents vacated the city, whereas a blind man and a lame man could not
leave the city. The blind man thought: “Alas, if I could see; I can escape. But, blind as I am, I
cannot escape.” The lame man reflected: “Alas ! I cannot walk at all. How can I run away to save
myself ?” The fire was spreading with leaps and bounds and was approaching the place where the
blind man and the lame man lived. The lame man was struck with an idea. He said: “Oh blind friend,
you are quite robust, you can lift me on your shoulders. And, I will point the way out for both of us
to escape. The fire is approaching fast and there is no alternative left for us to save ourselves.” The
blind man welcomed the proposal. He picked up the lame man and both of them with mutual
assistance left the city and saved their lives. MORAL LESSON: Here the blind man can be compared
to a man without the right knowledge while the lame man as a man without practicing religious rites.
As neither the blind nor the lame man, alone, could get out of the city, similarly, right knowledge or
religious rites, alone, cannot rescue the man from this worldly ocean. When both right knowledge
and religious rites, jointly operate, one can escape from the cycle birth and death in this world.

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