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The pea-hen hatched her eggs, cleansed by the rain, after 6 hours 24 minutes.
The queen took the eggs of a pea-hen out of curiosity.
26) EGGS HELD IN HANDS
In one of her births, Rukmini's embodied soul was a queen. Once, the King & the queen were hanging around in the garden for recreation. A pea-hen had laid eggs. The queen took the eggs in her hand merely with curiosity. They became reddish by the red kum-kum in her hands. The pea-hen did not hatch them as she did not recognize them. After six hours & twenty four minutes, it rained & the eggs were washed off (cleaned). Recognising them the pea-hen hatched them. The queen did not confess for the same, as a result, in the birth of Rukmini, she had to suffer the separation of her child for 16 years. On being asked the reason for the separation of her child, Lord Neminath explained the cause. Hearing it, Rukmini accepted asceticism and ultimately attained salvation.
As Rukmini touched the eggs, the pea-hen had to suffer the separation of her brood for 6 hours & 24 minutes (16 ghadi). Hence, she too had to suffer the separation for 16 years. One should keep in mind that what would be the destiny of the people who literally consume eggs and omlets?
106...Confession : The Path to Self-liberation Jain Education International
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