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Kaberi and requested the prince for departure. He replied that “If my friend tapaskumar will come along with me, then only I shall continue with my journey, not otherwise” The prince requested, “O my friend! I promise you that after marriage I will drop you here."
The prince departed in an auspicious hour and entered Kaberi. Kanakratha married Rukmini. He stayed for many days in Kaberi, immersed in the memories of Rishidatta, and spent days in gloom.
Once, Rukmini casually asked Kanakratha, “Swami! Why do you seem so gloomy? What was in Rishidatta that after having a beautiful wife like me, you can't forget her?” He replied, “It's no use of comparing you with her. How beautiful she was! What can I say about her charm, qualities and virtues? I have prepared myself for marriage due to the persuation of my father, otherwise I wouldn't have come here."
Rukmini got frustrated and
said in anger, “This was my conspiracy that you came here, otherwise!". Saying this she revealed the whole story and disclosed the secret.'
Hearing this, the prince became annoyed as she had blamed such a spiritual lady. Extreme feelings of hatred arose for Rukmini alongwith regret that he couldn't save Rishidatta. At that time, Rishidatta, in the disguise of tapaskumar, became happy as she had become free from the allegations slammed on her.
The prince wasn't able to console himself for being the cause of the sorrowful death of Rishidatta. “I want to confess this. There is only one way to free myself from this grave sin and i.e. to burn myself in the flames of fire. I don't have the right to stay alive for getting such a devotional lady assassinated."
This news spread all over the city rapidly. People praised the virtues of Rishidatta and criticized the conspiracy of Rukmini. They
80...Confession : The Path to Self-liberation Jain Education International
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