The Origin of Punyashrav

In a dense forest, a poor woodcutter worked tirelessly all day just to earn enough for a single meal. One extremely hot afternoon, he saw a Digambara Jain monk standing completely still in meditation (Kayotsarga) under the scorching summer sun.

The woodcutter knew nothing of complex scriptures or theology, but his heart was pure. Seeing the monk standing on the burning rocks, he felt deep compassion and reverence.

"The holy man has given up all worldly comforts," he thought. "I cannot offer him food or water, as I have nothing, and he is in deep meditation. But I can offer him some shade."

The woodcutter quickly gathered leafy branches and large leaves. Working silently so as not to disturb the monk, he constructed a temporary canopy over the monk to protect him from the blistering sun.

He then bowed quietly and returned to his harsh labor. The monk eventually finished his meditation, noticed the shade, and silently blessed the pure-hearted soul who had built it.

According to Jain tradition, this simple, completely selfless act (Nishkama Karma) generated an enormous amount of Punya (good karma). In his subsequent rebirths, the woodcutter attained great wealth, wisdom, and eventually the path to liberation.