________________
281
The merchant came up at once. The kitchen was
ed. While looking around, he found some dried uda da lying an a winnowing fan. He came to her with the fan, placed it in her hand and said,
"My daughter! You help yourself with these. Meanwhile, let me arrange for the removal of your irons".
The merchant went out. With great difficulty, Candanavālā reached the door. With her legs chained, her head tonsured, and without food for three days, Candanavălā, while holding the winnowing fan with the dried udada at a corner in her hand, thought,
'If at this moment a nirgrantha monk comes, I shall deem it a great good-luck of mine to offer him a portion of my dry and rough food'.
Her luck favoured her. By chance, Bhagavān Mahāvira who was on a conditional fast came there. He had already completed five months and 25 days of his condition, Candanavala became thrilled to see the future Tirthankara at her door. All her pain turned into joy. Overflowing with joy, she prayed,
"Supreme Master! Be gracious enough to accept this pure food and fulfil my wishes".
Mahävira possessed avadhi knowledge. He checked if his conditions were fulfilled. He found that they were all fulfilled save one. Candanavālā had no tears in her eyes. Mahavira turned to go back. Candanavālā cried. Mahavira turned and looked at her. All his conditions were now fulfilled. He retraced his steps and proceeded towards her. With her eyes shedding tears and with her heart overf ing with joy, she offered the dry uda da skin to Mahāvira, Mahavira broke his fast at that place. There arose a din in the sky,
'A Grëat offer ! A laudable offer! '
Five divine things made there appearance, There was a shower of 12,50,00, 000 gold pieces. : Candanavāla's
