Page 181 - Kailaspati: Paramhans Hansdevji Avadhoot

ashamed, arjun kept all his weapons with sri Krishna and went for a bath.
as arjun was about to get out of the water after his bath, he confronted a ferocious lion in front who was about to pounce on him. as arjun was then without his arms, he was left with no other alternative but to forcefully throw his necklace at the lion. The lion opened his jaws, devoured the necklace and within moments vanished.
On reaching his friend sri Krishna, arjun was surprised to see his necklace hanging round the neck of sri Krishna. ashamed, arjun had his face bowed down. sri Krishna said, “how did this happen my friend? Didn’t you promise not to part with it? You are still alive, but where is your necklace?”
sri Krishna then returned the necklace to arjun and said, “Let us go and see how a young man is true to his promise. You will not only be happy but blessed.”
soon, they, in disguise of two sages, went to the house of that young man. The young owner of the family felt glad to receive them and wished to cordially entertain them.
sri Krishna agreed to be entertained but said, “Your wives have to prepare dishes for two of us.” The master of the family arranged accordingly. On having gladly prepared the dishes, both the women laid mats on the cleaned floor of a room. The head of the family then, with hands folded, invited the guests to enter the room. sri Krishna said, “There i can see two mats laid. But the master of the family has to sit with us. so please serve the third dish for him.”
Both the wives served the third dish, but the master of the family declined to take his seat. at this, sri Krishna said, “We are guests to you here, if you decline to take the food served to you, then we will leave your place without even a morsel.”
at his wit’s end, the master begged time to ponder and the prayer was duly granted by sri Krishna. The young man then went upstairs and sat on the floor to think over the matter, “Which mistake would be all the more grievous? if i decline the offer, the sages will leave us without taking any food. and if i agree
Fhftd Volum: First Taranga 151