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PART V STORIES AFTER BHAGAWÄN MAHÄVIR
At last, she went to the King and requested, "Please help me get my son back. My husband has become a monk and I am lonely. He is the only child I have. Please ask them to return my son." The King heard the whole story from Sunandä. He said, "Let me find out what happened, and I will let you know shortly." He inquired about the situation and found that because Sunanda was tired of her son's incessant crying, she had voluntarily given away her child. The King called Sunanda and told her, "Sunanda, when Muni Dhangiri came to your house for alms you gave your child away voluntarily because you were fed up with his crying. Once you give something you cannot have it back." Sunandä said, “Oh King, this is not a thing. This is my own flesh and blood, and he is the only hope I have. Please do something to get him back. I cannot live without him." The King could feel the motherly affection and sincerity in her voice. He was also puzzled. Ultimately he told Sunanda, "I will call you and Muni Dhangiri to the courthouse and let Vajrakumär decide whom he wants to go with. Is that okay with you?" Sunandä said, "Yes, Your Majesty." The next day, the King's courthouse was full of people curious to see what would happen to the child. Sunanda came with toys, sweets, clothes, and other novelty items to attract Vajrakumär. The King and all his ministers came. Muni Dhangiri came with other monks. Everybody in the courthouse, including the King, paid homage to the monks. Vajrakumär also came. The King told Vajrakumär, "Vajrakumar, although you are very little, you are a very intelligent boy." Pointing towards his mother, he said, "She is your mother. She is very affectionate and loving. She has lots of toys, sweets, and good clothes for you. She wants you back. On the other side," pointing towards Monk Dhangiri, he continued, "there is a monk who has given up his worldly life. He is full of restraint and lives the life of renunciation. He is very
Vajrakumär picked up the ogho and started dancing with it
virtuous and a revered person. He wants to keep you with him to teach you about spiritual life. Now you must decide which way you want to go. Do you want to go with your mother or with the monk?"
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