Sajan the Governor

Summary

Sājān, the governor of Saurāṣṭra under King Siddharāja, climbs Mt. Girnār to worship Lord Neminātha and is pained by the dilapidated state of the temple. His conscience rebukes him for neglecting his duty to the Lord. Determined to restore the shrine, he resolves to spend the entire revenue of Saurāṣṭra—twelve thousand five hundred crores of gold coins—on renovation. While artisans and workers begin the task, jealous courtiers inform Siddharāja that the governor has misappropriated the state’s revenue for personal glory. The king summons Sājān to court. Knowing he must account for the funds, Sājān visits the wealthy merchants of Banthālī. In a public assembly he explains his desire to rebuild the temple and asks for their support. The merchants pledge their resources, and the affluent jeweller Sakarīyā offers baskets of precious stones to adorn the temple. Sājān returns to Girnār and continues the work. When Siddharāja arrives demanding the revenue, Sājān respectfully escorts him up the mountain to the nearly completed white marble temple. The king is awestruck and exclaims, “Blessed is he who made this renovation.” Sājān replies that the king and his noble mother deserve the credit because the renovation was accomplished with the revenue owed to the treasury; if the king desires, the same amount is ready for him. Siddharāja’s suspicion turns to admiration; he embraces Sājān and refuses the money, acknowledging that spiritual merit outweighs gold. Later Sakarīyā brings the precious stones to Sājān, who declines to accept them personally. They are fashioned into a beautiful garland and placed on the statue of Lord Neminātha. The story celebrates public integrity, devotion and community participation.