Not Anymore…
Chehakti Chetna
Do you want to become familiar with
interesting facts of Jain religion…?
Only quarterly religious child magazine of entire
Jain Digamber society
Then become a member of…
Publisher - Sooraben Amulakhrai Sheth Smruti Trust, Mumbai
Founder - Acharya Kundkund Sarvodaya Foundation, Jabalpur
Editor - Viragji Shastri, Jabalpur
Contact - Sarvodaya, 702, Jain Telecom, Futataal, Jabalpur 482002 (M.P.)
Mobile no. +91 9300642434 e-mail: [email protected]
Jain Dharam
Very Sweet, Very Sweet Jain Dharam
I love I love Jain Dharam
I Shall go on moksha marg
I shall take my Jain Dharam
Very Sweet, Very Sweet Jain Dharam
Do not take any tension
Always says my Jain Dharam
Very Sweet, Very Sweet Jain Dharam
You can solve any problem
if you take my Jain Dharam
Very Sweet, Very Sweet Jain Dharam
Not Anymore…
(A Collection of Short Moral Jain Stories)
Not Anymore…
(A Collection of Short Moral Jain Stories)
Author
Viragji Shastri
(M.A., B.Ed.)
Translated by:
Mumukshus Inspired by
Pt. Kahan Gurudevshree
Sponsored by
Smt. Purnimaben Ullashbai Jobalia
Mumbai
Publications
Acharya Kundkund Sarvodaya Foundation
Jabalpur (M.P.)
Not Anymore…
(A Collection of Short Moral Jain Stories)
First English Edition: Vaisakh Sud 2, Veer Samvat 2545, 6 May 2019;
Qty. : 2000
138th Janam Jayanti of Pu. Kahan Gurudevshree &
Adhyatmik Bal Shikshan Shivir, Devlali, Dst. Nasik
Hindi Edition : 3000, Jan to March 2019
Table of Content
| Title | Page No. |
|---|---|
| Story 1 - Now, I won’t ask… | 3 |
| Story 2 - Now, I won’t burst… | 5 |
| Story 3 - Now, I won’t dance… | 8 |
| Story 4 - Now, I won’t grow… | 10 |
| Story 5 - Now, I won’t fight… | 12 |
| Story 6 - Now, I won’t celebrate… | 14 |
| Story 7 - Even I will come | 16 |
| Story 8 - Now, I won’t buy… | 19 |
| Story 9 - Now, I won’t pluck… | 22 |
| Story 10 - Now, I won’t eat… | 24 |
| Story 11 - Now, I won’t throw… | 26 |
| Story 12 - Now, I won’t wish… | 28 |
| Story 13 - Now, I won’t bathe… | 30 |
| Story 14 - Now, I won’t fly… | 32 |
Price: Rs. 25/-
Available at:
Sarvodaya, 702, Jain Telecom, Futataal, Jabalpur 482002 (M.P.)
Mobile no. +91 9300642434
E-mail - [email protected]
Now, I won’t ask…
Bhakti would religiously go to the temple every day. But,
she didn’t know why one should go to the temple? What are the
benefits of going to the temple daily? She was just being a good
daughter. Her mother had once told her to go to the temple every
day, so she would go every day. Bhakti was careless about her
studies. She would play more and study less. Thus, as the exams
would come near, she would be nervous and scared. More than
once, she fell sick right before exams.
This year, it was the same story. She didn’t study well for
the exams. She feared failing in the exams. On the day of the exam,
she reached the temple early morning. She prayed in front of the
omniscient god (Jinedra Bhagwan), “Hey Lord, I haven’t studied
at all! I am really scared! If I fail, then my mother will scold me a
lot! Please Lord, help me pass the exams this time if you don’t
help me then I will never step foot in this temple again!!”
Bhakti’s mother was standing behind her and listening to
Now, I won’t burst…
Utsav: Hello Samyak! Where are you going so early in the morning?
Samyak: What should I say Utsav! My son, Deep, has been pestering me to buy firecrackers for him since yesterday. He hasn’t even eaten anything since yesterday evening. So I’m going to the market to get some firecrackers for him.
Utsav: Oh! What is this…didn’t you make him understand…
Samyak: [interrupting him] I tried so much, but he doesn’t understand at all.
Utsav: So even after being so sensible and intelligent yourself, you will give in to his demands and go buy firecrackers for him.
Samyak: Then what else am I supposed to do…? I don’t feel like doing this, but Deep isn’t eating his meals…
Utsav: This generation’s children…we have to fulfill all their wishes and when they will grow up they will ask us, “What did you even do for us?” You wait now…I’ll make him understand.
Utsav: [On reaching Deep’s house] Deep! What are you doing?
Deep: Nothing uncle, I’m getting bored. Come inside, please sit.
Utsav: Since you’re getting bored I’ll show you one magic trick.
Deep: What kind of magic trick uncle? And since when do you know how to do magic tricks?
Utsav: Just wait and see! I’ll put your hand on a burning candle, and your hand won’t even get burnt.
Deep: How can this be uncle? My hand won’t get burnt, you say! I won’t put my hand on the candle.
Utsav: Why son?
Deep: My hand will get burnt uncle!
Utsav: Wow son! You are worried about your hand getting burnt but you want to burn all those small living organisms and kill them…
Deep: I’m not sure I understand Uncle…!
Utsav: You insisted that your father go to buy firecrackers from the market, and you haven’t even eaten anything since last evening because of that.
Deep: Yes…! But I just want to enjoy Diwali. All my friends have bought a lot of firecrackers.
Utsav: You want to enjoy yourself through killing someone, scaring them, or making them go through pain. For some temporary enjoyment of yours, the fire and sound from the crackers will kill thousands of small living organisms, and if your friends steal something then will you also steal?
Deep: No Uncle! But if the festival of Diwali is to mark the day Lord Mahaveer attained complete salvation (Nirvana), then should we not even celebrate our happiness?
Utsav: When did I say anything against that? Celebrate Lord Mahaveer’s day of salvation (Nirvana), but in a different way. Just like the way Gautam Gandhar celebrated it. We should do puja of Lord Mahaveer and study his preaching’s. Your name is Deep, so do things to enlighten other people, not push them into darkness. Why should the enjoyment you get from bursting fire crackers be the cause of death of thousands of innocent living organisms?
And now tell me, if you distribute sweets to everyone in your neighbourhood on Diwali, will they praise you or will they condemn you?
Deep: They will praise me.
Utsav: And if you wake them up at night by bursting crackers then will they praise you or condemn you?
Deep: They will condemn me.
Utsav: Okay, and tell me at least one benefit of bursting crackers?
Deep: There are none.
Utsav: Why even engage in any act that has no benefit? And an act that causes harm to someone else should especially never be done.
Firecrackers are the cause of people getting burnt, houses catching fire, and children and old people getting handicapped. There is an increase in the air pollution and garbage, and I’m sure you are aware that the extensive pollution caused by firecrackers has led to the Supreme Court to order that firecrackers can only be burnt for a maximum of two hours.
Deep: That’s all Uncle! I understood now. Now I will never burst firecrackers.
Utsav: Wonderful! That’s the way to go. We will celebrate a Diwali full of knowledge, devotion and prayer.
Now, I won’t dance…
Sanskruti: Hello Vidhi! Where are you going?
Vidhi: I am just going to the temple.
Sanskruti: Oh! You must know that there’s going to be a Siddhchakra Mandal in our Temple.
Vidhi: Wow! That’s great news.
Sanskruti: It is indeed good news. We will be having devotional worship (Bhakti and Poojan Vidhaan). Also, scholars (Pandits) will be conducting lectures. My husband and I are going to be a part in this auspicious ceremony (Vidhaan) by participating as one of Indra-Indrani’s (i.e. heavenly beings). Why don’t you and your husband join us and be another pair of Indra-Indrani in this ceremony?
Vidhi: No. We can’t join. My husband doesn’t have time. Also, during Bhakti people ask me to dance and I am really shy of dancing in front of people.
Sanskruti: Oh Vidhi! Doing Pooja, portraying the role of Indra-Indrani will give you immense happiness. By following the rules, you will gain immense knowledge. If we can remember and spare time for the birthdays, marriages and illnesses of our family members, why are we making excuses while celebrating and praising omniscient god (Jinendra Bhagwan)? If we keep thinking about small problems, then we will never be able to spare time for something we really want to do.
Vidhi: Yes, what you’re saying is correct.
Sanskruti: Also, if you don’t want to dance it’s absolutely okay. But I do remember that you were happily dancing at a wedding on the streets 5 months ago. If you weren’t feeling shy during that time, you don’t need to feel nervous now.
Vidhi: It was the marriage of my husband’s brother. I had to dance for the happiness of my family.
Sanskruti: So do you think that the Poojan for Jinendra Bhagwan is not a happy function? Also, women from cultured families do not dance on the streets. People living on the streets look at us in bad faith.
Vidhi: But…
Sanskruti: No ifs and buts. This is a moment of great pride for our Jain religion (Jin shashan). We should be a part of it.
Vidhi: Yes, you are correct. I promise you that henceforth I will not dance on the streets. My husband and I will also be Indra-Indrani for this Vidhaan. Even if my husband doesn’t have time, I will make sure to participate alone as an Indrani.
Sanskruti: That’s great!!
Now, I won’t grow…
चहक! मैं तो फिर से समझाने से थक गई हूँ। लेकिन, तुम कभी नहीं सुनती हो।
चहक की माँ समझाया, “तुम इतने लंबे नाखून क्यों बढ़ाती हो। अगर तुम कुछ दिनों तक चोट नहीं खाती हो तो क्या होगा? क्या तुम इसे रखोगी?”
चहक ने गुस्से में अपने पैर पटके और जवाब दिया- माँ! तुम हमेशा मेरे नाखूनों के खिलाफ रहती हो। मैंने तुम्हें सौ बार बताया है कि बढ़ते नाखून बहुत फैशनेबल होते हैं और सभी लड़कियाँ ऐसा करती हैं।
चहक की माँ ने फिर से समझाने की कोशिश की, “मेरी प्यारी, मुझे समझ में नहीं आता कि तुम गलत चीजों के खिलाफ क्यों हो, लेकिन तुम्हें ऐसा नहीं करना चाहिए जो तुम्हें या किसी और को फैशन के नाम पर चोट पहुँचाए।”
चहक अपने कमरे में चली गई और बोली- माँ! तुम हमेशा मुझे परेशान करती हो। कृपया समझो कि समय बदल गया है।
चहक की माँ ने उसे समझाना जारी रखा लेकिन चहक ने कभी नहीं सुना।
एक दिन एक धार्मिक शिविर एक मंदिर में स्थापित किया गया था। युवा विद्वान विभिन्न शहरों से आए थे ताकि बढ़ते मूल्यों और अच्छी आदतों को सिखाया जा सके। उन्होंने एक सत्र के दौरान बताया कि बढ़ते नाखून जानवरों से प्राप्त हुए हैं। शाकाहारी जानवरों के नाखून नहीं होते हैं और जिनके होते हैं वे बहुत छोटे होते हैं। लेकिन, मांसाहारी जानवरों के बहुत बड़े और नुकीले नाखून होते हैं जिनसे वे अपने शिकार को पकड़ते हैं और उसे खाते हैं। नाखून मानव शरीर का भी एक हिस्सा हैं। जब नाखून स्वाभाविक रूप से बढ़ते हैं तो हमें उन्हें काटना चाहिए। हमेशा खुद को या अपने आसपास के लोगों को चोट पहुँचाने का खतरा रहता है क्योंकि नाखून लंबे होते हैं। इसके साथ ही बहुत सारी गंदगी इसमें फंस जाती है जो एक अस्वस्थ और संक्रमण का कारण है। इन बुरी आदतों का चहक पर बहुत बुरा प्रभाव पड़ा और वह सोचने लगी।
एक बार, जब उसकी माँ 5 साल के छोटे भाई को कपड़े पहना रही थी, तो उसके गाल पर उसके लंबे नाखूनों से चोट लग गई और खून बहने लगा। यह देखकर चहक डर गई। उसने घर पर ही दवा लगाई। दुर्भाग्य से, दो दिन बाद उसके भाई को संक्रमण हो गया। वे डॉक्टर के पास गए; चहक को याद आया और उसने अपनी माँ और युवा विद्वान द्वारा दी गई सभी सलाहों को याद किया। चहक ने अपनी माँ और युवा विद्वान की बात नहीं सुनी। घाव दवा से ठीक हो गया, लेकिन एक निशान हमेशा के लिए चहक के गाल पर रह गया।
चहक ने कभी नाखून नहीं बढ़ाने का संकल्प लिया, और उसने अपने गाल पर निशान देखकर शर्म महसूस की।
एक फूल ने बच्चों से बात करना शुरू किया और अपनी उदासी व्यक्त की।
एक फूल “मुझे मत तोड़ो! मुझे अपनी पत्तियों और टहनियों को मत तोड़ो। मैं एक जीवित प्राणी हूँ। तो मैं भी हूँ!!”
Now, I won’t wear…
परस! तुम्हें किसी और को देखने से पहले हर चीज के बारे में बहुत अच्छी तरह से सोचना चाहिए। क्या तुम भगवान पार्श्वनाथ और नमस्कार मंत्र का अनादर नहीं करना चाहते हो?
परस! मुझे नरक (यानी 7 नरक) और निगोद (यानी 5 इंद्रिय जीव जैसे बैक्टीरिया) में नहीं जाना है। मैंने सुधर्म चावरावती के नरक (यानी 7 नरक) में जाने की कहानियाँ सुनी हैं। लेकिन तुम ऐसा क्यों कह रहे हो कि मैंने कुछ नहीं किया है?
परस! तुम भगवान पार्श्वनाथ और नमस्कार मंत्र का अनादर कर रहे हो।
परस! “कैसे?!”
परस! “तुम इस लॉकेट और ब्रेसलेट को पहनकर बाथरूम में जाते हो, तुम इसे अपने पसीने वाले हाथों से छूते हो, तुम इसे बिस्तर पर पहनकर सोते हो, और टीवी देखते हो और क्या नहीं!”
परस! “ओह हाँ! ऐसा होता है!!”
परस! “क्योंकि इन सभी से, 5 परमेष्ठी (अरिहंत, सिद्ध, आचार्य, उपाध्याय और साधु) का अनादर होता है और इन सभी से तुम गृहस्थ मिथ्यात्व (यानी अर्जित झूठा विश्वास) का पाप कर रहे हो!”
परस! “भाई! मैंने कभी इन सब के बारे में नहीं सोचा था!”
परस! “परस, हमारा मन हमेशा शांत रहता है जब हम अच्छे लोगों के आसपास होते हैं। यह सकारात्मकता पैदा करता है। हमें अच्छी किताबें पढ़नी चाहिए, अच्छे दोस्तों के साथ खेलना चाहिए, जिनवाणी (यानी तीर्थंकरों / जिनेंद्रों द्वारा प्रचारित) का प्रचार करना चाहिए और पाठशाला (यानी धार्मिक स्कूल) जाना चाहिए।”
परस! “वाह! तुमने इसे इतनी अच्छी तरह से समझाया! मैं अब कभी नहीं पहनूंगा, और मैं अपने दोस्तों को भी इसे न पहनने के लिए कहूंगा।”
परस! “यह मेरे भाई जैसा है!”
Now, I won’t Celebrate…
हैप्पी न्यू ईयर चिंतन!
चिंतन! “हैप्पी न्यू ईयर फॉर व्हाट, नवीन?”
नवीन! “क्या तुम पागल हो या तुम बस मजाक कर रहे हो?”
चिंतन! “न तो मैं पागल हूँ और न ही मैं मजाक कर रहा हूँ।”
नवीन! “क्या तुम्हें पता नहीं है कि आज 1 जनवरी है और अब नया साल शुरू हो गया है?”
चिंतन! “मैं जागरूक हूँ, नवीन। चूंकि लोग पागल हो रहे हैं, तो क्या मुझे भी ऐसा ही व्यवहार करना चाहिए?”
नवीन! “तुम क्या बात कर रहे हो, मुझे समझ में नहीं आ रहा है। मुझे लगता है कि तुम पागल हो। क्या तुम किसी पागल जगह से हो?”
चिंतन! “मैं नहीं, जो लोग मनाते हैं, वे पागल हैं। यह हमारा त्योहार और जो लोग मनाते हैं, वे पागल नहीं हैं, क्योंकि इसका कोई मतलब नहीं है। बस इसलिए कि पूरी दुनिया मनाती है और नए साल के नाम पर हम नाचते हैं, पटाखे जलाते हैं, एक रेस्तरां में जाते हैं, एक पूरे रात जागते हैं - ये मूल्य कहाँ से आते हैं और यह कैसे बुद्धिमान है?”
नवीन! “मैं भाई को समझने में असमर्थ हूँ!”
नवीन! “नए साल के लिए मुक्ति (निर्वाण) में भगवान महावीर का जन्म हुआ था। यह दीपावली के अगले दिन शुरू हुआ था। जनवरी 1 पश्चिमी संस्कृति में एक नया साल है।”
नवीन! “तो, क्या? क्या हम नया साल नहीं मना सकते?”
नवीन! “जब मैंने नहीं कहा तो? बस पूछा कि आज जो तुम दिखा रहे हो वह इतना असामान्य क्यों है?”
नवीन! “जैसा कि आज साल शुरू हो गया है, चलो एक संकल्प लेते हैं कि अच्छा करें और अच्छा काम करें।”
नवीन! “नवीन, मुझे समझ में नहीं आता कि 31 दिसंबर और 1 जनवरी के बीच क्या अंतर है? हर जगह बेईमानी, भ्रष्टाचार, क्रूरता और झूठ है। इससे हमें क्या फर्क पड़ता है? हमने वही व्यवसाय किया है, वही अशुद्धता और वही सभी बुरे काम किए हैं।”
नवीन! “हाँ! यह सच है। अगर कुछ नया शुरू हो रहा है, तो हमें शुभ तरीके से दिन का निरीक्षण करना चाहिए। हालांकि, हमारी बुराई ने हमें छोड़ दिया है, न ही हमारे बुरे काम खत्म हुए हैं। अच्छे काम भगवान महावीर द्वारा मोक्षलक्ष्मी (यानी मुक्ति) प्राप्त करके किए गए थे, और गौतमस्वामी की केवलज्ञान (यानी पूर्ण ज्ञान) प्राप्त करके। यही कारण है कि हमें जश्न मनाना चाहिए और तुम खुश होगे कि वीर निर्वाण श्रृंखला दुनिया की सबसे महत्वपूर्ण समय मापने वाली प्रणाली है।”
नवीन! “तो, हमें क्या करना चाहिए?”
नवीन! “नवीन, इस मामले में तुम नया साल मनाना चाहते हो, पहले तुम्हें मंदिर जाना चाहिए और पूजा-आराधना (यानी सर्वज्ञ की पूजा) करनी चाहिए। तुम्हें अशुद्धता और बुरे कामों को दूर करने का संकल्प लेना चाहिए जो हमने पूरे जीवन में किए हैं। हमें जरूरतमंदों की मदद करनी चाहिए और समाज में दान देना चाहिए। जैन धर्म को समझने के लिए, धार्मिक गतिविधियों में भाग लो और अपनी आत्मा को शुद्ध करने के लिए अधिक से अधिक प्रयास करो। खाने से बचने और पूर्ण ज्ञान प्राप्त करने के लिए भी।”
नवीन! “हाँ भाई, मैं बस यही करूँगा। आज से, मैं नए साल को उसी तरह मनाऊँगा जैसे तुम करते हो।”
6 Now, I won’t Celebrate…
“Happy New Year Chintan!”
“Happy New Year for what, Naveen?”
“Have you gone crazy or are you just kidding?
Neither have I gone crazy nor am I kidding.”
“Aren’t you aware that today is 1st January and now onwards New Year has begun?”
“I am aware, Naveen. Since people are going crazy so shall I also behave the same way?”
“What are you talking about I am not able to understand. I feel you are crazy. Have you come from any crazy place?”
“Not me, the people who celebrates, they are crazy. This is not our festival and people who are celebrating something that has no meaning to them are crazy. Just because whole world celebrates and in the name of New Year we dance, fire the crackers, go to a restaurant, be up whole night - where are such values from and how is that wise?”
“I am unable to understand brother!”
“For us New Year begins on the liberation (Nirvana) of God Mahaveer. It started on the next day of Deepavali itself. January 1st is a New Year as per the Western culture.”
“So, what? Can’t we celebrate their New Year?”
“When did I say no? I just asked what is so unusual today that you are showing too much of excitement?”
“As today the year has begun, let us make a resolution to do new and good work.”
“Naveen, I don’t understand what is the difference between 31st December and 1st January? Everywhere around there is dishonesty, corruption, cruelty and lies. What difference does it makes to us? We have been performing same business, same immorality and same bad deeds all the time.”
“Yes! This is true. If there is something genuinely new, then we shall observe the day in an auspicious way. However, neither our evilness has left us, nor our bad deeds have come to an end. Good deeds were done by Lord Mahaveer by achieving Mokshlakshmi (i.e. salvation) and Gautamswami’s Kevalgyaan (i.e. complete knowledge). That is how we got chance to celebrate and you would be happy to know that Veer Nirvana series is the world’s most ancient time measuring system.”
“So, what shall we do?”
“Naveen, in case you wish to celebrate New Year, firstly you should go to temple and do Pooja - Aaradhna (i.e. worship of the omniscient god). You should pledge to try and reduce the immorality and bad deeds which we have been doing throughout the year. We should help the needy and give charity within our means. Try to understand Jainism, participate in religious activity and get closer to your soul. Also try to avoid eating after sunset and get absolute knowledge of Jainism.”
“Yes Brother, I was only crazy. Today onwards, I too will celebrate the New Year the way you do.”
7 Even I Will Come…
such an auspicious event - birth celebration of the Lord."
“Let’s not argue over these unnecessary things”
“Oh Shobha! Just tell me what your goal is after studying?”
“I want to be a great doctor and make my father proud” “Why?”
“Because he is my father and has taken a good care of me. He fulfills all my wishes and he spent a lot of money for my studies.”
“You feel such gratitude towards your father, similarly Lord Mahaveer is our religious - father. He has taught us to follow right religion. If you become a doctor in this birth you will get all the happiness and facilities but Lord Mahaveer has shown us path to be happy by terminating this cycle of birth and death. We are very grateful to him. Have you understood something?”
“Yes, I can understand little bit of it.”
“You are ready to go through the struggles to be doctor and make your father proud, but you are hesitant to celebrate the Birth of our Lord?”
“But Stuti! Is it okay to spend too much money for procession?”
"Don’t we spend too much while organising get-togethers and picnics? We don’t think about the expenditure then, so why are you concerned about spending money for religious events. Saudharma Indra himself comes to participate in the auspicious
“Shobha, come early tomorrow.”
“Oh Dear! I will get up little late tomorrow. If there is anything urgent then tell.”
“My sister! Tomorrow our last Tirthankara (i.e. God) Lord Mahaveer’s Birth - celebration day! Tomorrow there are going to be rites and rituals in the temple followed by huge Shobhayatra (i.e. procession).”
“Why should I attend all this? It is not that important!!”
“Shobha! What do you mean by not that important? This is our responsibility. It is the birth celebration of our Lord Mahaveer and no event can be more important than this.”
“But Stuti, tomorrow is a holiday in the college, it’s a day to relax and anyway I get bored in these rites and rituals. Moreover, what is the use of going for a procession? It’s too crowded, the sweating and my clothes will get dirty. It’s just too much of walking. It’s tiring for me.”
"Shobha, what are you talking? We are lucky to participate in
celebration of Lord’s birth festival (Janma Kalyanak) and Kuber Indra showers precious gems all over, and here we are talking about the excessive spending?"
“But Stuti!”
“But what Shobha! For the awareness of this precious Jain philosophy Shree Nikdank sacrificed his life, Pandit Todarmalji happily gave his life below the elephant’s leg and what have we done for the rare and pure Digamber Jain religion?”
“Sorry Stuti! I was being childish, and I am ashamed. I will not make such mistake again. I will follow the principles of Jainism to the best of my ability and share my part of duty for the religion.”
“Wonderful Shobha! That’s what I wanted to hear!”
“I will reach temple early”, said Shobha, ending the conversation.
Let’s celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Mahaveer together,
And attain Samyakdarshan by understanding his preaching,
Let us all proffer together and strengthen the victorious Jinshasan,
And let us all do a resolution to become like Siddha god.
8 Now, I won’t buy…
‘Look Charchit, how many toys are there?! Which one do you need?’
‘I want that big toy gun dad!’, said Charchit enthusiastically.
‘Yes!’, Saying this, Sulabh bought a big toy gun for his son from the shopkeeper. Charchit was delighted by looking at the toy gun and profusely thanked his dad. He made ‘Boom’ ‘Boom’ noise and started playing with the gun.
As soon as he reached home, he showed the gun to his mother and said, ‘Look mom! Bullets from my gun are coming ‘Boom’ ‘Boom’!’
‘Why did you buy this gun?’ Drashti asked Sulabh.
‘He was very adamant about buying this toy hence I bought him this gun.’ said Sulabh clarifying to Drashti.
Not Anymore…
Hereafter, Drashti decided to take an oath of being silent. She neither spoke to Sulabh nor Charchit until evening. Unaware of his mother’s unhappiness, Charchit kept on playing with his toy gun all day. Introducing the toy to his grandparents, he told them, ‘Grandfather! Shot you with my gun. Now I will target the bullet at Grandma.’ Looking at this, Drashti’s anger kept on increasing, but she kept quiet.
‘Why are you getting upset on such a small thing?’ Sulabh asked Drashti in the evening. ‘Have I committed some crime by buying him a toy?’
‘I have never refused to buy him a toy. Having toys are children’s rights. I am against buying him a gun.’ Drashti answered seriously.
‘So, the gun isn’t a toy?’ asked Sulabh in a confused manner.
‘It is a toy, but not for Charchit. Since the moment he has got the gun he had been going around “shooting” everyone. Don’t you understand this is a source of a great sin?’
‘He is a child. How would he know the meaning of good deeds or sins? And it isn’t a real gun. It’s just a toy gun’, Sulabh replied trying to change the topic.
‘It must be a toy for you’, Drashti replied instantly. ‘Charchit doesn’t understand good deeds and Sins, but at least you do. The gun might be a fake toy gun, but the thoughts which come while using this gun are real. And why should we imbibe such values and morals in Charchit? We should educate them to stay away from such violent toys, violent video games but we ourselves are teaching him violence.’
‘Leave it, it’s a small thing. You are just behind this topic.’ Sulabh said trying to end this conversation.
Drashti replied immediately, ‘It must be a small thing for you. Embedding values and morals in the child is the first responsibility as parents. If we don’t embed values in them, then we do not have any right to give birth to a child.’
Hearing this, Sulabh became serious as well. Drashti continued, 'This is the age for him to learn. Right now, whatever we will teach him, he will learn that. Today he will be violent with a toy and tomorrow he will hit somebody. We are completely responsible for this. If he is being fussy about the toy, we should explain him and make him understand instead of just buying him that toy.
Listening to this, Sulabh said, 'Drashti! You are right. We start completing all their wishes because of our attachment towards them. We have to righteously complete our responsibility as parents, not blindly. I am sorry Drashti! Henceforth, I will not buy such toys for Charchit which will spoil his morals, ethics and values.
Let’s play a lovely game
Make us play such a game where don’t have to cry and hit someone,
Where there is neither tells of violence nor defeat.
Let’s play a game through which we can learn about our religion,
The game in which there is no love no hatred but only happiness.
Not Anymore…
9 Now, I won’t pluck…
Chanchal was studying in 6th grade. Since childhood, he was a mischievous child. On his way to and back from school, he was in the habit of plucking branches and flowers from different trees. Sometimes, he also plucked leaves of the plants from his own garden. Many times, his mother would explain him not to pluck them, while on other occasions, she shouted at him, but Chanchal would take her advice as a joke and laugh it off.
One night, while Chanchal was in deep sleep, he suddenly woke up screaming. ‘Please don’t hit me…Don’t break my hands…I won’t do it again.’ Hearing him shout, his mother woke up and asked him, ‘What happened dear?’ Meanwhile, Chanchal sat and started crying loudly. His forehead and face were sweating. While calming him down, Chanchal’s mother asked him, ‘Chanchal, what happened? Did you have a bad dream?’
Chanchal hesitantly laid his head in his mother’s lap. After he calmed down, he told her crying, ‘Mom! I will never pluck flowers henceforth and neither harm the birds.’
‘Son at least tell me what happened?’
After asking him twice, Chanchal finally replied wiping off his tears, “Mom! I had a bad dream right now. I saw that few monsters like people caught me, tied my hands and legs and took me into a dark cave where they made me stand in front of their leader.
The leader ferociously asked, ‘What crime has been committed by this child?’
‘Sir! This child has plucked branches of many trees’, one Monster answered.
‘As a punishment for this crime, his fingers shall be cut.’, said the leader sternly.
‘Sir! He has plucked many flowers and crushed them.’, said another Monster.
Answering fiercely, the leader said that ‘his legs must be cut off and hence shall become handicapped.’
Following the leader’s command, the two Monsters took a knife and started walking towards me while other two monsters held me stiff. I got scared thinking they would cut off my hands and legs. I was frightened mom! Then…you woke me up. From now I will never harm trees and plants. This is my promise.” Saying this, he started weeping loudly. With deep affection, his mother comforted him and said, ‘I have explained you quite a few times that trees and plants are just living souls like us. They also feel and experience pain. They have emotions just like us. Without reason plucking trees and plants is a very big sin.’
‘Yes Mom! But after today I will never hurt any living thing.’ Hearing this, Chanchal’s mother had a huge smile on her face.
Not Anymore…
10 Now, I won’t Eat…
Anay- Aagam! Come… come… You have come after so many days! How are you? Where have you been?
Aagam- My grandfather had come from the village. Time flies when I am with him!
Anay- Oh okay…
Aagam- Yes and my grandfather is also a scholar of Jainism. He told me many stories of Jainism and even gave me interesting information about it.
Anay- (laughing) Oh…! Then even you might have become a scholar in it now.
Aagam- Please don’t make fun of this Anay. We still don’t appreciate the prestige of Jainism.
Anay- Okay. Leave this topic of religion now. Let’s have the meal together.
Aagam- Yes… yes… let’s go…!
Anay- Mom! Aagam has come home and will eat the meal with us.
Mom- Okay son. Both of you sit, I will bring the meal right away.
Anya- And mom, prepare only one plate, we will eat together from the same plate.
Aagam- No Aagam. We will have the meal together but not from the same plate, we have it in different plates.
Anay- Hey! What are you saying? We have always eaten our meal together in the same plate!
Aagam- We have, but now onwards we won’t.
Anay- But Aagam! Having food together increases love and after all we are best friends!
Aagam- Not love, but our sins increase.
Anay- How?
Aagam- See, when we eat together from one plate, our mouth’s saliva gets mixed with the food.When both our saliva’s mix, it leads to the birth of infinite microscopic souls in the food and thus while eating this food, we commit a heinous sin.
Anay- Who told you all this?
Aagam- My grandfather… And he hasn’t made up all of this on his own, instead he said this based on the Jimvani (i.e. Lords preaching) given by the Digambar Monks. We were unknowingly committing such a big sin!
Anay- Brother Aagam! I pledge that from today onwards I will never eat with anyone from the same plate.
Aagam- That’s great! Come on, let’s eat now.
Anay- Yes, why not? But from different plates!
Saying this, both started smiling.
11 Now, I won’t throw…
Kruti was the eldest among her brothers and sisters. She was studying in the 10th standard and helped her mother in kitchen chores. Her mother would make roti’s for everyone and she would help her mother in cooking vegetables and fruits. She used to enjoy working. She would put all the vegetable and fruit peels in a polythene bag and throw it outside.
One day her mother saw her throwing the garbage in polythene bag outside, so she told her not to do so and explained “Kruti! Please don’t throw the garbage in a polythene bag. Many cows and buffaloes might eat the polythene along with the food and that would stick in their throat.” To this Kruti replied, “Oh mother! What are you saying? All the animals are very smart. First, they tear the polythene and then they eat their food. I have seen that many a times. Also, mother, it is very convenient to throw garbage in a polythene. This avoids scattering of garbage here and there.” Kruti tried to outsmart her mother with her words.
Her mother replied, “Kruti, animals are intelligent, but not so much that they know the dangers of eating a polythene. They are so hungry that they can’t wait for the polythene bag to open. Also, if you can’t do this much then, I would throw the garbage henceforth.”
Kruti didn’t pay attention to her mother and said, “Relax mother! Why do you worry so much? Now let’s stop this topic. I will take care henceforth.”
Even after this conversation Kruti didn’t change her habit and daily she would throw the garbage in a polythene bag.
One day while returning from school she saw a group of people crowded on the road. She asked a boy, the reason for this crowd. The child answered, “A cow has died here and the municipality people are taking her away.”
Kruti went to the nearby shop and started looking at the scene. She overheard the shopkeeper telling his customer, “When will these ladies use their brains? They always throw garbage in a polythene bag and again, one more cow has died.”
The shopkeeper’s talks reminded Kruti about what her mother was trying to tell her. She saw pieces of polythene being taken out from the cow’s mouth. The shopkeeper continued saying that the polythene got stuck in the cow’s throat and choked the cow to a slow and miserable death.
Kruti felt extremely ashamed and started crying. She felt guilty of her mistake as she hadn’t listened to her mother. She went back home. On seeing her sad and tears in her eyes, her mother got worried and asked her, “Kruti what happened? Why are you crying?” Kruti embraced her mother and cried a lot and said, “Mother! Now I will always listen to you and shall never throw anything in a polythene bag.”
Then she narrated the whole incident to her mother. Her mother hugged her and said, “Kruti, finally you understood the message. That is important for me.”
Still Kruti was feeling very guilty and couldn’t stop crying.
12 Now, I won’t wish…
Mother: Gnyayak! After eating your lunch, complete your homework.
Gnyayak: Not now, I will do it after playing.
Mother: No… After playing, you get tired and then you are sleepy…
Gnyayak: Please mother…! I will finish the homework before sleeping. I promise, mother.
Mother: Don’t be stubborn, Gnyayak. First complete your homework and then play.
Gnyayak: Mother! These birds and animals are much better and happier than me.
Mother: What do you mean? I did not understand.
Gnyayak: Mother, these animals don’t go to school, so they don’t have to do homework. They can go wherever and eat whatever they wish to. Nobody to tell them anything. No botheration to earn and such a carefree life.
Mother: Oh! Ok. What else do you think Gnyayak?
Gnyayak: I wish even I was a bird. Then I would also do whatever I feel like and roam around wherever I want. I would trip around many countries and if I were a monkey then I would jump from one tree to another. I would eat many fruits and play with my friends. No worries about the homework or the teacher.
Mother: (laughing) Wow! What a thought…!
Gnyayak: (Innocently) I am telling the truth.
Mother: Son, you are seeing only from one aspect. You are not aware of the extreme suffering these birds and animals face, and that is the reason you feel this way. You have been born in the highest form of life - Humans (Uttamkul i.e. Manushya), still you are wishing to become an animal (i.e. Tiryanch)?
Gnyayak: What is wrong in that, mother?
Mother: Do you know how many difficulties do these birds and animals have? Animals don’t get proper food. They don’t have a proper house to live in, they must bear the cold and heat. People tie them with ropes. Anyone comes and hit these animals. Even if they have any problem they can’t tell it to others. If you get a little hurt, we rush you to the doctor. There is no end to the miseries of these poor animals.
Gnyayak: Oh! Mother! I never thought about all these.
Mother: And you were talking about the happy life of the birds? The non-vegetarians kill these birds and eat their flesh. Some people cage these birds just for their entertainment. We have got this birth as a Human due to a lot of good deeds. We are indeed very blessed that we have got Jain philosophy and selfless god-scriptures-monks (i.e. Vitragi Dev-Shastra-Guru). These birds can’t worship god (i.e. Devdarshan) nor do they get support (i.e. Nimitt) for their soul upliftment (i.e. Atma-kalyan).
Gnyayak: Mother, you are right…!
Mother: Now make sure you will never wish to become a bird or an animal. Always wish that, in this birth we would follow the path of omniscient god (i.e. Jinendra Bhagwan), learn the scriptures (i.e. Shastra) written by the monks (i.e. Muniraj) and would realise ourselves as soul our upliftment (i.e. Atma-kalyan). If we do not use this opportunity then we will surely become animals in near future. Did you understand…?
Gnyayak: Yes Mother…! I understood everything. And I promise you that now I won’t wish to become a bird or an animal.
13 Now, I won’t bathe…
Uncle: Chinmay, the house is done up very beautifully.
Chinmay: Thanks Uncle, your blessings are always with me. Now, please go and have a bath quickly. Temple (i.e. Jin Mandir) is very close by. Let’s go there to worship (i.e. Jin Abhishek and Pooja) the selfless and omniscient god.
Uncle: The temple is so close by! That’s really good. I’ll quickly have a bath and come.
Chinmay: Also, it is very cold outside. I’ve arranged for hot water and kept it inside, so you can have a bath with that water itself.
Uncle: Alright.
(10 minutes later)
Uncle: Chinmay, do you heat up your water using a geyser?
Chinmay: Yes Uncle, we installed a geyser when we were building the house.
Uncle: But Chinmay, using a geyser to heat up water involves death of a lot of living beings (i.e. Jeev Hinsa)
Chinmay: How does that happen, Uncle?
Uncle: Son, the unfiltered water flows from the tank above to the geyser and that gets heated up. Unfiltered water has uncountable number of living beings in it that die because of the geyser.
Chinmay: Uncle, we haven’t renounced the world yet. We are not that much into religion. This much violence (i.e. Hinsa) is alright.
Uncle: Your thinking is wrong Chinmay. Whether the violence (i.e. Hinsa) is done by a worldly man (i.e. Shravak) or a monk (i.e. Muniraj) who has renounced the world, the violence (i.e. Hinsa) remains the same. House chores where avoiding violence (i.e. Hinsa) is impossible, that is called non-purposely done violence (i.e. Aarambhi Hinsa). But this is purposely done violence (i.e. Sankalpi Hinsa) where we are knowingly killing all these souls (i.e. Jeev). And this purposely done violence (i.e. Sankalpi Hinsa) results in great sin (i.e. Maha-Paap).
Chinmay: Alright Uncle, I’ll think about it. Now let’s go to the temple.
Uncle: You are trying to divert the matter, Chinmay. When you don’t want to truly understand and follow selfless and omniscient god’s (i.e. Jinendra Bhagwan’s) sermon then what’s the point of worshipping (i.e. Jin Abhishek and Pooja) the god.
Chinmay: I’m not trying to divert the matter, Uncle. But using a geyser is a matter of convenience. Additionally, we don’t even have to be worried about getting an electric shock with these geysers.
Uncle: Does it justify to kill so many living beings for your mere convenience? Chinmay, now there are so many ways in which you can heat up the water without being worried about getting an electric shock. But water should be heated up only and only after it has been filtered.
Our Jain religion upholds non-violence (i.e. Ahinsa). It is not possible to avoid violence (i.e. Hinsa) all the time. However, we can minimise the violence (i.e. Hinsa) during whatever we do in a day. Thus, preventing the deaths of many souls. And not using a geyser is very doable. Otherwise, how can we even call ourselves Jains.
Chinmay: Uncle, you are right.
Chinmay: Chinmay, even though we have not renounced the world yet, we should try and avoid violence (i.e. Hinsa) wherever we can. That is the correct way of living for a Jain.
Chinmay: Yes Uncle, I will call the mechanic today itself and get the geyser uninstalled. No geyser, no violence (i.e. Hinsa). And from tomorrow, I will filter the water and only post that heat the water up.
Uncle: That’s the spirit! A loud cheer for non-violent Jain religion (i.e. Ahinsamay Jain dharma).
Not Anymore…
14
Now, I won’t Fly…
“There goes the kite!!! Hurrayyy!!” rejoiced Khushal.
“Kanu, please hold the string reel properly! Keep watching, I
will destroy so many kites today!” claimed Khushal.
“Yes Brother, I will do so”
“Here it goes, there goes another one…and there goes one
more…I destroyed Karamshee’s kite! Hurrayyy!”
Khushal ruined Karamshee’s kite, seeing his kite fly far away
from him, Karamshee started crying. Watching Karamshee cry,
Khushal started laughing.
Seeing this Kanu told Khushal, “Brother please give your kite
and string reel to Karamshee.”
“Let it be Kanu. This is a kite flying sport. Such things keep
happening here, there is no need to start crying over it.”
“Brother, we come here to enjoy, not make someone cry.”
“Look Kanu, if a kite goes up it will come down, there is no
reason to start crying over this. It is a game after all!”
“How would you feel if your kite was destroyed?”, asked Kanu
sternly.
“I would feel bad” said Khushal instantly.
“So, we should stay away from such activities, that hurt
someone’s feelings. And these string reels cut the throats of the birds,
it hurts them too.”
“You are right Kanu! You have become so intelligent!” said
Khushal agreeing with Kanu.
“Karamshee, here take my kite and string reel. I pledge to never
fly another kite in my life.” saying this Kanu handed everything over
and went home.
स्रोत: Gyata संग्रह।
प्रूफरीडिंग बाकी है