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Stories Of The Sadhviji
Jain Education International
Jain Society of Greater Detroit
PRATISHTHA MAHOTSAV JUNE 27-JULY 6 1998 AR
ADAM
RUSHIDATTA HAVHA2
King Kanakrath's eyes rested on the shores of the ocean and then met those of the attractive Rushidatta. A bolt of lightning went through both of their minds. A man doing penance at the shore introduced the king to Rushidatta, and the two were soon married. But in the mind of Rukmini, the king's betrothed, the snake of envy showed its fangs. Through Yogini, a demi-god, Rukmini had the sleeping Rushidatta's lips smeared with meat. That very day the king got news of a man-eater, and thinking Rushidatta to be the cannibal, banished her to the jungle. Using an herbal potion, Rushidatta changed her form to that of a man doing penance and became friends with the king. The king eventually wed Rukmini who years later, told the king of the game of deceit played on Rushidatta. The king felt deep remorse and decided to immolate himself. At that time the disguised Rushidatta entered the pyre to save him and showed her true self. "In a previous life you had falsely accused a sadhvi of eating meat." Bhadrayashsuriji informed Rushidatta of her past karma and she renounced the world. She eventually destroyed all her karmas and attained liberation.
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