Treasury of Jain Tales

SR No.: 006762
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre
Publication Year: 1994
Total Pages: 468
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

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the chariot that Varadhanu was driving. As the Brahmins were offering food to the dead, Varadhanu himself appeared to receive it and eat it. Brahmadatta quickly recognised his dear friend who explained that that night he was only badly wounded by an arrow but tried with difficulty to follow him. Finally he succeeded in meeting him at the present place.
Now the two friends who were tired of living the life of the refugees planned to make the final assault on king Dirgha and fight for the kingdom. They were in a public park making plans for the final onslaught. That was a day of spring festival when young men and women were enjoying themselves but the holiday seemed to have been spoilt by a wild elephant that ran amuck among them. The elephant made a particularly shapely girl his target and rushed at her. He had almost caught hold of her when Brahmadatta spurred by his princely instincts jumped up to divert the furious animal's attention towards himself. The elephant gave up the girl and rushed at him. With great dexterity Brahmadatta rolled his upper garment into a ball and tossed it at the elephant who attacked it in his great rage. In the meantime Brahmadatta jumped on to his back and within a short while managed to soothe him. The king of the place, who had in the meantime come into the public park, heard the cries of approbation as they arose from the public gathered around. He too was amazed by the extraordinary courage of the young man and asked who he was. His minister told him of the full story of Brahmadatta and the king responded by inviting the prince to his own palace and extending to him all the royal hospitality. The king gave to Brahmadatta his eight daughters in marriage; on an auspicious day and at the auspicious hour the wedding took place. The king's minister offered his daughter Nandā to Varadhanu and the two friends spent some happy days in the palace with their wives. One day Brahmadatta met an old woman who told him how the young girl he had saved from the elephant's fury had declared to her father who was a rich merchant that unless he gave her in marriage to the same young man, she would end her life. The merchant therefore sent this woman who was her nurse to find out Brahmadatta and make an earnest request to him to accept the girl. Brahmadatta was only too pleased to oblige.
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