Page 20 - JAIN ONLINE

announce 'My necklace is stolen. While in the 'pra kraman',
this shravak was si ng beside. A er he le early. I couldn't find
the necklace' But he didn't know, souls, having abundant love
towards the 'Sangha' (community) don't publicly disclose
faults of community members. They don't do gaze ng of
flaws. How can the mean people be aware of such generous
heart?
Guru Maharaj permi ed him. The businessman
con nued, “Guruji! Give me 'prayashchit'(compensa on)!”
Guru Maharaj asked, “But, in public?”
“Yes, because my offence is public.”
“What is the offence! What is the ma er?”
Now that shravak was full of doubts!”On such a
pretence, he may wisely and indirectly announce my the . But
over here, this wise shravak was speaking very though ully. He
said-“O God! I forgot to take care of my distressed
Sadharmika!”
Here, Guruji didn't ask “Which Sadharmika?” because it
shouldn't be made all public. He just said, “Meet me
a erwards.”
This incident highly influenced and magically
mesmerised the thief shravaka.! He understood the situa on.
As a result, a burning fire of repentance enraged in his heart
“Ah! Ah! Ah! I'm really a heavy sinner. What have I done?
Whose necklace have I stolen? I have stolen the necklace of
such a great, holy man! I have a empted the , that too of a
necklace with precious jewels! What a mean and sinful act by
me! Even a mean person won't do this. Look at the eye-
sparkling speciality of his high nobility that in spite of me
commi ng a treacherous offence, rather he is asking
Prayashchit' (compensa on)! How many births would I have to
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take and wander in the vicious birth cycle because of this
crime! Bhagwan! Bhagwan! Save me! Instead of stealing things
of such a generous and loving, noble soul, even if I would have
directly asked for it, he would have given it kindly. But now I'm
not worthy to even ask for it. The first thing I've to do is to
return back the necklace to the businessman.”
The generosity of a man and his confession of mistake
can bring a change even in the heart of a thief! This is an
appropriate illustra on. Then why won't it affect others? If one
wants to reform the thieves or other criminals, then
understand that court punishment, newer laws etc. won't
improve them. Only poor fellows commi ng pe y crime due
to adverse condi ons would get caught in the net of laws. Rest
shrewd and masterminded criminals would remain alert so
that they don't get trapped in any law. Only Saint's discourse
can change and reform such criminals. The ac ve generosity
of noble men would correct and improve the mistakes of the
criminals.
Thinking thus, he immediately got up and reached the
businessman's place with the necklace. The businessman
invited him, “Welcome my brother! Welcome!” He put the gold
chain in the hands of the businessman.
Businessman asked, “Brother! What is this?”
He replied, “Oh noble! What are you asking? Didn't you
recognize? This is your necklace.”
“Mine?”
“Yes, it is yours.”
“No brother! It can't be mine at all.”
“Oh, master! Don't doubt. The necklace isn't changed. It
is your same necklace.” He thought the businessman may be
suspicious that 'My precious necklace may be changed' so he
The Diamond Necklace 39