Emperor Vikramaditya Diwakar Chitrakatha 050 051 052

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

Page 48

Rupashri took her five guests to the palace. Madana and Kaamkeli danced there and Vikrama sang. Sukomala said
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EMPEROR VIKRAMADITYA
Great Vikrama ! Your voice is as beautiful as you are. From now on you should live with me.
Gradually Sukomala and Vikrama became fast friends.
I have acquired the memory of my past six births. In each one of them men deceived me and caused me pain. There is no being more cruel, harsh and selfish than man.
Please tell me how man deceived you. Let me also know.
THEM
One day Vikrama sang prayers for Shankar, Vishnu, Rishabh, Neminath and Parshvanath. After the song Sukomala said
O princess! Why do you hate man so much? Man is the leading performer in this creation.
Friend! Why do you utter names of males before me? The moment I hear names of men I get angry. Every part of my body burns with hatred.
010
Jes
Sukomala told the story of her past six births
Six births before, I was the wife of a merchant named Dhan. Although rich, the. merchant was stingy. Once I gave a Damadi [a coin of smallest denomination at that time] to a beggar. The merchant turned red with anger and beat me up. I had fractures and bruises all over. The miser neither gave me medicine nor food. I died of hunger and thirst in extreme pain.