________________
[35]
Then, in his flesh moulded of desert-dust, Naked and hot with glare. callous and cruel, Awakened what impossible monster-lust Self-conflagrating! he was even as fuel Kindled to flames, each flame a demon's tongue Leaping to lick their beauty out of shape. The camel-driver said: “Why ! both are young !" His eyes turned mouths prepared to glut and rape. He told them “I will help you to escape.... Come, ride upon my virgin camel's back; Leaving this town let us depart in haste, We'll ride all night until the crimson crack Of the next day. We have no time to waste. Tomorrow waits to offer you a taste Of desert hospitality and fare, The safety of the desert, honest-bare Which, by your wondrous beauty, shall be graced; Your breath shall scent the lonely desert-air And every grain of desert-sand grow sweet Trodden but once by your angelic feet."
The queen, creature of chastity and pride, Knew death alone was now her surety. She had already passed away inside Her body: death had stood security. And, of a sudden, she collapsed and died. The heavens knew it was not suicide, But sheer corollary of purity,
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
