Arya Sthulabhadra Diwakar Chitrakatha 042

Author(s): Nityanandsuri, Chidanandmuni, Shreechand Surana
Publisher: Mahavir Seva Trust Mumbai

Page 19

Shakadal went to the king and requested, "Sire you wanted to wits Vararuchi praying to Goddess Ganga, please come along."
ARYA STHULABHADRA
Before dawn the king arrived at the spot with a crowd of people. Everyone was eager to witness the miraculous seen of mother Ganga rewarding Vararuchi with a bag full of gold.
Vararuchi entered the river and standing in waist deep water started chanting-"Har Har Gange! Jai Jai Gange !"
On concluding, he pressed the pedal of his contraption. A female hand emerged from the river but it was empty.
Vararuchi was stunned, "What happened? The red bag filled with gold coins did not come out?" He again invoked loudly-"Mother Ganga be pleased. Bless me! Bless me! Har Har Gange! Jai Jai Gange!"
Once again the hand emerged empty. In spite of several tries the bag did not appear. Primnister Shakadal approached and said, "O Brahmin ! Here is your bag. Don't get disheartened if mother Ganga did not bless you a bag of gold. I give you one, here, take it." Vararuchi looked down with shame. Shakadal revealed the secret and added, "Sire, this bag is not a boon from Goddess Ganga. It belongs to Vararuchi. He places it here during the night and performs this display in the morning to impress people."
The king admonished Vararuchi, "Why did you need such deceit. You are a Brahmin, why defraud people."
Vararuchi looking down left the crowd. The onlookers also cursed him and called him names"Charlatan! Hypocrite! Rogue !" Vararuchi at last left the town.
But six months later he returned to Pataliputra and started earning his living by teaching children.
In due course he became friendly with the house
maid of the prime-minister
Ketaki, what goes on at the prime-minister's house these days?
ST
The elder son is infatuated with the beauty of Rupakosha. He hardly comes home.
And the younger?
17
Preparations for his marriage are in progress. Royal throne, umbrella, and scepter are being made, but all under wraps.