________________
JAIN JOURNAL
Indragop:
But we are sure, this demon will not spare you.
Vardhaman :
So, you scent some danger. If death is imminent, I will consider that I have been relieved of earthly burden sooner than I anticipated.
[Loud laughter again]
Chullak :
Make haste and leave this monastery soon.
Vardhaman :
New surroundings create new problems. This night I will spend right here.
Indragop:
To spend the night here, is to give invitation to death. We have told you before, that one saint has already given his life here.
Vardhaman :
That saint must have been proud and conceited. Standing on the brink, he must have professed to have reached the depth of religion.
Indragop :
But this demon is so cruel that he draws no distinction between a real and a pseudo saint. He has infinite power. He falls on his prey like lightning and thunder.
Vardhaman :
Let him fall on me. As fruit fall off from shall also fall off from my body.
a tree, I
[Loud laughter again]
Indragop:
There he comes. He will kill me. Here I go.
Chullak :
Permit me also to go. I dare not tarry here any longer. He will not spare me. I am the only husband of my wife. What will be her lot, when I am no more.
(Both quit hastily. Vardhaman goes into deep meditation. Enters Shulapani in awesome appearance. Locks of hair are scattered from his head. His face is painted red and white. He is putting on a scarlet robe, with a yellow waiste-band. He is bare-footed. He again laughs lustily]
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
