2023-7WhoseSacrificeIsGreater

Whose sacrifice is greater (7) Once upon a time, there resided a noble Prince named Jimutvahan, who, due to certain family crises, found himself living in exile with his queen, Malayavati. One day, as Jimutvahan was en route to a temple, he encountered a pile of debris. Beside it, a distraught woman wept bitterly. Inquiring about the cause of her sorrow, the lady informed Jimutvahan that a demon plagued their village, devouring the young boys. She revealed that today was her son, Shankchoor's, turn to be taken by the demon. Driven by his compassionate nature, Jimutvahan resolved to confront the demon directly. When the demon arrived, Jimutvahan fearlessly engaged in a battle of sheer strength. However, the demon swiftly seized Jimutvahan and ascended into the sky. Suddenly, Shankchoor appeared on the scene. Witnessing the imminent danger faced by their beloved King, Shankchoor revealed to the demon that Jimutvahan was not its intended victim; rather, it was Shankchoor himself. Touched by this selfless act, the demon's heart softened. It recognized Jimutvahan's noble character and pledged to spare the lives of the village boys. "Can you inform Vikram whose penance was greater?" Betal inquired. Vikram pondered the question before responding, "Shankchoor's penance holds greater magnitude. Jimutvahan, as a Kshatriya King, had a duty to protect the lives of his subjects. It was an obligation bestowed upon him. However, Shankchoor's actions were driven purely by his compassion for his fellow beings. He saved Jimutvahan's life based solely on humanitarian grounds, making his penance more significant." Upon hearing the correct answer, Betal swiftly retreated back to his abode within the tree trunk. Moral: Humanity is the most sacred religion.