Moral Stories:
[This is the English adaptation of part of a personal letter written by my religion teacher, Shri Pandit Daya Chandra Jain Shastri. Panditji taught us the basic tenets of Jainism, not only through religious texts but also through his conduct. We students observed that our revered teacher practiced what he taught us. He did not seek money, position or recognition. We saw the contentment, equanimity and peace of mind which Panditji maintained through his conduct, and we tried to practice these virtues. - D. C. J.]
A Humbling Realization:
The four passions, anger, pride, deceit and greed, are hard to temper. It is often difficult to realize one's vanity (pride). Rich and powerful, scholars and thinkers, poets and writers, all suffer from vanity to a greater or lesser extent.
This is the story of Raja Bhoj who was the ruler of Dhara Nagari. Raja Bhoj was rich and noble. He was a scholar and a poet. He was a benevolent ruler. He showered artists, scholars and poets with luxurious gifts. His people were happy. The king had ample time for the pursuit of art, literature and poetry.
One day, Raja Bhoj was composing a verse describing his wealth and fortunes. The first three lines of the verse were:
CHETOHARAAH YUVATAYAH SUHRIDONUKOOLAAH
SADBAANDHAVAH PRANAYAGARBHA GIRASHCHABRITYAAH
BALGANTI DANTINIBAHAAH TARALAASTURANGAAH
Charming and beautiful young women, dear and congenial
friends,
loving and pleasant family and relatives,
gentle and dedicated employees,
and myriads of beautiful and thunderous elephants and horses;
Raja Bhoj had finished composing the above three lines of the verse and did not know what to say in the fourth line. Just then, the great Sanskrit poet, Kalidas, came by. He asked the king his problem. The king showed the unfinished verse to Kalidas. The great poet said, "O Scholarly King! If you please, I can complete the verse." The king agreed. Poet Kalidas added the fourth line as follows:
SAMMEELATE NAYANORNAHI KINCHIDASTI
When an individual passes away (his/her eyes are closed), nothing remains; riches, power and all means of comfort become immaterial.
Raja Bhoj realized his vanity. He expressed his deep gratitude towards Kalidas and honored him with precious gifts.
About Riches:
Raja Bhoj used to spend considerable wealth on art, music and literature. Once his treasurer discovered that his treasury was almost empty. So, as a precaution, he had the following line of a verse inscribed at the entrance to the treasury:
AAPADARTHAM DHANAM RAKSHET
One should save some money for rainy days.
The king understood the intention of his treasurer and had the following line inscribed next to the first one:
SHREEMATAAM AAPADA KUTAH
How can those who are endowed with exceptional wisdom fall from grace?
In reply, the treasurer had the following line inscribed:
YADI DAIVAAT SAMAAPNOTI
What if the riches are finished by a stroke of chance!
The king retorted with the following:
SANCHITOAPI VINASHYATI
A sizable accumulated wealth can also vanish by a stroke of chance.
Obviously, Raja Bhoj was a very rational and pragmatic ruler who lived to enjoy the moments at hand.