Page 127 - EJO0055
P. 127

People  like  them  should  be  considered  either  a  subject  of
        compassion or indifference.” I will make up my mind in such
        a way but will surely not get angry.

        You made this resolution and after that if someone committed
        a mistake because of which you had to face a problem, then
        you have to ensure that you do not get angry at all. You have
        to stick to your resolution of a forgiving nature at all times.
        This is developing Sthitapragyata for forgiveness.

        (2) Sulsa’s Sthitapragyata :

        Sulsa Shravika’s mind was steady in religion at all times. To
        test  her  steadiness,  two  Devas  from  heaven  took  the  form
        of Jain saints and came to her house to seek Lakshapaka oil
        in alms. Sulsa greeted then warmly, “How fortunate I am to
        have received the chance to do Supatradana* and serve sick
        saints !” After that she told her servant to fetch the oil bottle
        from  the  cupboard.  With  their  magical  powers,  the  Devas
        invisibly  broke  the  bottle.  Not  only  one  but  the  second  and
        third bottles were also broken by them ! But Sulsa did not get
        angry  on  her  servant  even  once.  Sulsa  lost  all  her  medicine
        bottles as well as the precious chance of Supatradana. In spite
        of this, she did not lose her temper. Because Sulsa’s resolution
        of  forgiveness  was  steady.  She  had  the  courage  to  stand  by
        her resolution ?

        That is why the Indra* praised her religious faith and courage
        in  his  court.  He  said,  “On  this  earth,  there  lives  a  great
        Shravika Sulsa whose religious faith cannot be moved even by
        the powerful Devas like you.” Hearing this, a Deva had come
        down to test Sulsa and in spite of the entire situation he created,
        Sulsa did not get angry or annoyed. Sulsa’s virtue of forgive-
        ness  pleased  the  Deva  and  he  told  Sulsa  to  ask  for  a  boon.

        * Supatradana – The act of giving alms to Jain Saints.
        * Indra – Head of all celestial beings i.e., Devas and Devis.
        24. Sthitapragyata (Steadiness of Mind)                      117
   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132