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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and as such he should be quite right in treating Madanarekhā with the respect as he was doing then. He offered to do whatever service she desired and Madanarekhă said that she would very much like to go to Mithilā. Her former husband, the Indrasāmānika god, suggested they could go to the king's palace and she could meet her son, but she pointed out that as she was a nun then no one was a son to her and no one a stranger. She would therefore be in a nunnerv. On reaching there she received her initiation, and took the name of Suvratā and as Suvratā only she lived the life of selfdenial in Mithilă.
As the son grew up, many of the king's enemies humbled themselves before him. Therefore the son was given the name of Nami. At the proper time he received from his father the throne and kingly responsibility. His brother in Sudarsanapura Candrayasas also became the king of his state after his wicked uncle Maniratha died of a snake bite.
One day a white elephant belonging to king Nami strayed into Candrayasas's territory and it was captured by his men. When it was reported to Nami, he sent a messenger to king Chandrayasas asking for the elephant back but the king spoke impudently to the messenger highlighting the strength and courage which he of course had, and declared his intention to retain the elephant. King Nami also decided to settle the issue with strength and courage and led his army against Sudarsanapura. Candrayasas also was in readiness to face Nami's army.
The nun Suvratā, in reality Madanarekhă, was terribly upset to hear the news of a war between the two. She sought a meeting with Nami first and tried to dissuade him from such a disastrous war, she even told him of his real relationship with Candrayasas. Out of sheer pride Nami would not change his mind. Madanarekhā then went to her elder son, Candrayasas who was full of joy to meet his mother. He said he was most anxious to see his younger brother, king Nami. Suvratā brought about the meeting and Candrayasas gave to his younger brother his entire kingdom and honoured him with the title. The Lord of the whole country of Avanti. He embraced the Jina faith, became a monk and wandered away.