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My wife seated my two kids - daughters-by my side and started to console me in affectionate, sweet words. She was reciting the Navakara for me.
As I turned a little, the nurse gave the pink coloured form to my wife to sign it. Just at that time I turned on that side and saw her signing the form. "Alas! Is there no hope? No chance of survival? It was a form of legal approval for the last rites if the operation failed. I have got hundreds of such forms signed. Now it is being signed for me! Alas! what a state I am in! O God! Where is my motherland ? ... This land is unknown! ..... O God!".
I closed my eyes and looked towards the sky.
"O thou protector of all! O refuge to the helpless! Now, only you are my hope, my refuge!" And from the depth of my heart came out the words : Arihant! ..... Arihant!
I took religious education through fear of punishment at the hands of my grandfather. Now it came to my rescue. I then told myself, "O Jiva! You must reap the fruits only of your deeds! ... You did not think when you committed sins with all your heart! Now it is to bear fruit. Why do you go restless now? I was reminded of all my numerous sin in the past ..... My heart began to shudder ..... my pride of Vidya and power was waining. An inner cry came from the heart : "Remember the universally compassionate Shri Arihanta Prabhu ..... Go to the refuge of the dharma propounded by him!”.
Then my heart told me that my loving mother had given a Mala with Navakaras of sandal and told : "Well my son! chant Navakara to complete one Mala every day.”
