Page Text
________________
71
Exactly at the moment when Agaladatta was making his remark about the reward, several people from the city rushed into the king's court with a complaint that a series of burglaries were taking place in the town and the king aught to take note of the sufferings of the people. They told the king how they had lost much valuable property. From the tone of the complaint it appeared that they were genuinely affected and the king warned the chief of the city guards that the burglars should be arrested and produced before the king within seven days. Agaladatta saw here a clear chance to prove his own capability to the king and therefore he volunteered his own services and assured the king that within the period that the king had stipulated, he would bring the culprits to the king's feet. The king gave him the permission to do so.
Agaladatta was happy to receive the royal commission and he went about preparing his strategy. He knew that thieves, criminals and such bad characters prowl about dramshops and such other places. They usually put on peculiar dresses and try to pretend to belong to some other profession. Therefore Agaladatta would keep an eye on such places and also make use of his trustworthy friends as spies.
Agaladatta disguised himself in ragged and dirty garments and kept a close watch on suspicious places but detected no one as his wanted men. He went out of the city and rested himself in the cool shade of a mango tree. He was not quite happy with his efforts of the day, and he was wondering what other type of strategy would be needed. When a religious mendicant muttering and mumbling something came to the same tree and sat near Agaladatta, he saw that the mendicant had firm calves and long legs. This gave rise to a suspicion in his mind; a mendicant had no business to have such well built muscles. He felt sure in his mind that the mendicant was
criminal, and an evil doer and decided to keep a close watch on him. The mendicant asked him who he was and where he was going and for what reason. Agaladatta told him that he was wandering in search of work and money since all his property was lost. The
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
| SR No. | 006762 |
| Book Title | Treasury of Jain Tales |
| 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 |