Page 85 - Faith Personified

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Sulsa’s Test

When Sulsa’s faith and devotion reached its Zenith, Indra in
His Devasabha sung praises of Sulsa remarking, “O Devtas,
Look!! In the mortal world, in the city of Rajgruhi, resides a
Shravika named Sulsa. Her religious outlook and faith in
Lord Mahavir is as still and strong as a mountain. No one can

move or shake it, not even powerful Devas like us. But, Indra’s*
Chief Harinigamishi Deva was surprised and could not digest
this, “What is so special about her? Let me test her steadiness
in religion.” He decided to examine her in the field of serving
monks. By his celestial powers, he took the form of 2 Jain
Monks and entered Sulsa’s house.

The Deva very well knew that it was futile testing her by
depriving her of material benefits or by creating some external

adversities. Her faith in religion was undeterred because she
was very well aware that everything was dependent on previous
good or bad karmas. Then why lose faith in religion? Her faith
was immovable. Thus the real test would be to create some
adversity in her religious activity. With this thought in mind,
the Deva came to test Sulsa taking the form of two Jain Saints.

* Indra – Head of all Devtas is celestial beings.

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