Jain Journal 1986 10

SR No.: 520084
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 40
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 31

OCTOBER, 1986
61
of the king and the queen from remorse in search of the jeweller who was responsible for getting her innocent husband arrested and taken to the king on the allegation that he was the thief who had stolen the queen's anklet which was of the same make with the one offered by the thief for sale. Shivering from head to foot in an uncontrollable rage to punish the crooked and wicked jeweller, Kannaki stood before the jewellers' shops and enquired about the man who took her husband to the king handcuffed by the police officers but there was no response from the jewellers who were hurridly putting down their shutters terrified by the woman who stood before them. They thought that the woman was mad or a wizard who could kill them. They have also heard of the sudden death of the king and the queen because of the witchcraft of the woman. The tragic death of the king and the queen spread like wild fire among the people and the city turned deserted within a short time. Determined to punish the jeweller and render justice to her dead husband Kannaki plucked her left breast with her right hand and threw it at the jewellers' buildings. Fire broke out instantly and the building was in flames. The adjoining buildings were also enveloped in flames and it spread to the entire market. People ran hither and thither for safety from the danger of being burnt alive. Meanwhile, a divine voice or an aśariri from the high skies was heard by several people appealing to the infuriated Kannaki to subdue her wrath and save the people and the city of Madhurai from further sufferings and damage to properties. The voice was certainly that of Kovalan who has become a celestial of the heavenly world. Further, the divine voice instructed Kannaki to proceed towards the hill of the Cera country where she would meet her husband on the fourteenth day. Kannaki was pacified and traced her steps towards Kerala. The Buddhist poet Chathanar closed his rice shop and climbed on a nearby hillock from where he saw Madhurai burning in fire. He also heard the divine voice from the high skies Chathanar went to the city and saw to his horror several burnt o ings. He saw several wailing men and women for their losses in the conflagration. The poet collected all the available information from eyewitnesses of the tragic events including the death of the king and the queen, the beheading of Kovalan and the miracles of Kannaki culminating in the breakout of fire which partly burnt the city. He left for Kodungallur to make a full report to Senkuttuvan and Ilamko Adikal and reached his destination a day before Kannaki's ascend to the heaven in the company of Kovalan. Kannaki traversed alone from Madhurai to Kodungallur or may be with women pilgrims to the Jain temples in Kerala. She was clad in a robe or sādi covering her body, the upper part like a woman born and brought up in an aristocratic family. Kannaki reached the suburbs of Kodungallur situated near a hillock and sat underneath a sacred tree called Vengai venerated by the hill people and was lost in