Jain Journal 1972 10

SR No.: 520028
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1972
Total Pages: 55
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 20

Aramasobha
MUNI MAHENDRAKUMAR 'PRATHAM'
There lived at Palasagrama a Brahmin named Agnisarma. He was an expert in sacrifices and thoroughly versed in the four Vedas. His wife's name was Jvalanasikha. He had a daughter named Vidyutprabha who was exceedingly charming.
Short Story
When Vidyutprabha was eight years old, her mother passed away. This was a great shock for her. Besides, the responsibility of managing the household was now on her immature shoulders. She used to get up before sunrise, clean the house and besmear the kitchen. Then she had to follow the cattle to the jungle for their grazing. At mid-day, she would be back home, milk the cattle, serve food to her father and take food herself and follow the cattle to the jungle again. She returned after sun-set. After she had finished her household duties, she would be wholly exhausted. But she would not go to bed before her father, and she would get up before him. Such was her daily routine.
One day Vidyutprabha came to her father and said, "Father, I am somewhat incapable to run the household. What to speak of me, even stout bulls would break down under so much pressure. So my request is that you marry some respectable lady so that my burden will be reduced and the household will run well."
Agnisarma readily agreed and took a new wife. Even Vidyutprabha was happy to receive a new mother but the happiness was not to last for long. The new mother had no training in household work; besides, she was too much lazy and easy-going. So all her expectations were washed away. She had not only remorse in store for her and she would blame none save her own ill-luck. With regret she thought, 'So long I worked for my father; but now I have the added burden of a mother. I sought happiness but even what I had is now gone.'
Thus four years rolled away, and they were long, unhappy years to the girl. She was now twelve. One day, while looking after the cattle