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NandiSootra
multiplied with every passing day. Very soon he recovered all his lost wealth as well as good will. He considered all this to be the influence of Shrenik's spiritual merit. A few days later he married his virtuous and beautiful daughter, Nanda, to Shrenik. And now Shrenik lived a happy and comfortable married life at his father-in-laws house. In due course Nanda became pregnant.
Back at Rajagriha, king Prasenjit was in a state of gloom since Shrenik had eloped. He sent his spies all around in search of Shrenik. After a long search some of the spies informed about Shrenik's presence in Vennatat city. The king sent a contingent of soldiers to bring back Shrenik. When these soldiers informed Shrenik that his father misses him acutely and wants him to return, he decided to return immediately. In a letter he wrote all pertinent details about himself to Nanda and begging her leave, left for Rajagriha.
A divine soul had descended into the womb of Nanda. Under the pious influence of this soul Nanda had a dohad (pregnancy desire) that she should ride an elephant and go around the city offering wealth and goodwill to the townspeople. Nanda's father was pleased to fulfil her desire. In due course Nanda gave birth to a beautiful, playful and healthy son. The birth ceremony of this brilliant child was celebrated and he was named Abhaya Kumar.
With passage of time Abhaya Kumar started growing and getting education. He soon acquired profound knowledge of numerous scriptures and many arts, crafts and skills. Young Abhaya Kumar one day asked his mother - "Ma! Who is my father and where does he live?" Considering that it was proper time for Abhaya Kumar to know everything, she gave him Shrenik's letter and told him her complete story. Abhaya Kumar was pleased to know about his father and became eager to go to Rajagriha. When he sought permission from his mother, she also decided to join him. After necessary preparations both, mother and son, left for Rajagriha with a merchant convoy.
After a few days of travel the convoy reached Rajagriha. They camped in a beautiful garden outside the city. Abhaya Kumar left his mother in care of the group and went into the city. He wanted to acquaint himself with the city atmosphere and explore how to approach the king gracefully.
After covering some distance within the city he saw a crowd of people gathered at a place. Curiosity drew Abhaya Kumar to that spot and he found that the crowd had gathered around a dry well. When he asked about the cause he was told that a gold ring belonging to the king had fallen in the well and the king had announced a reward for the person who can get it out of the well without getting down into the well. The crowd was of the people wanting to find a way to bring out the ring but no one could find one till that moment.
Abhaya Kumar said - "If I get the permission I can bring the ring out." The man standing adjacent to him at once gave this information to the state employees. Realising that some intelligent individual has come, the king's men requested Abhaya Kumar to get the ring out.
Abhaya Kumar picked up a handful of cow-dung lying nearby and carefully dropped it on the ring visible in the well. A few hours later when the lump of cowdung in the well dried, he filled the well with water with the help of the king's men. As the water level rose to the brim of the well the dung-lump floated on the surface. Abhaya Kumar leaned and lifted the dung-heap. He broke the lump and released the ring. After washing it well he handed over the ring to the king's men. When the king Aagam- 44 -NandiSootra
- 63 - Compiled by- Deepratnasagar
