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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even transform him. Nevertheless, he was very dear to the minds of gods like Rama and Kesava. King Pandu received Närada with appropriate ceremony, he went forth seven or eight steps to welcome him, went round him three times and offered him the most honourable seat which was sprinkled with water and covered with darbha grass. But Draupadi did not participate in this welcome ceremony with equal enthusiasm. As far as possible she tried to remain aloof; she believed that Nārada was not free from sinful activities and his intentions were not always respectable.
Närada who had noticed Draupadi's behaviour carefully, wondered why she did not show him respect nor wait upon him. When he took his leave of king Pandu, he had almost made up his mind to teach Draupadi a lesson. Therefore, he decided to cross the Lavana-sea and go to Dhataki khanda, a continent on the south eastern side of Bhāratavarsa. King Padmanābha ruled over this huge land and his capital city was Aparakankā. The king had several hundred women in his harem and when Närada appeared in his court, he saw the king surrounded by many graceful women. After the usual formalities were over, and Nārada was seated in the right seat, king Padmanabha looked with distinct pride at his collection of beautiful women and asked Nārada, who was known to have visited most of the countries on the globe and known to have been entertained by all their kings, whether he had seen such a beautiful harem any where else. Nărada put on a smile, which meant mischief and said to Padmanabha, "My dear king, you are indeed like that frog in a well." Padmanābha asked which frog it was and in which well. Närada thereupon told him the story of a self-centred and complacent frog and came out with the provocative information about Draupadi.
Padmanabha was really aroused and went to his Fasting Hall to propitiate a god who in fact was his old friend. He requested him to obtain the beautiful bride of Hastinapura for himself. The god replied that it would never happen, Draupadi would never enjoy any of the pleasures with any one except the five Pandavas but when Padmanābha insisted that Draupadi must be brought there immediately, the god agreed merely to do him a good turn.