Jain Journal 1966 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 30

Dhannya Salibhadra a short story
Srenika goes to Salibhadra's house
There came a trader to the court of Srenika with some jem-blankets. The king took one in his hand and said, "What is to be done with it ? It has got no weight.”
“That's true,” replied the trader, “but is weight everything ?”
“Then ?” said the king.
The trader laughed. “Then,” he said, "these blankets keep one cool in summer and warm in winter."
The king sent the blanket to the queen's apartment. On seeing and hearing everything the queen Celwana sent message through her umbrella-bearer that she must need have one.
But the king was not able to purchase the blanket. The price demanded by the trader was so high that it was beyond the means of the treasury of Magadha even. So Srenika had to say, “I am not able to purchase the blanket.”
What else could the trader do ? Disappointed he left the court.
Pacing through all the streets of Rajagriha, towards evening, he went to the house of the merchant Salibhadra.
"I had heard much about the city of Rajagriha,” he said, "but there is none who can purchase even one of my blankets."
On hearing this, Bhadra, Salibhadra's mother, came down the stairs.
“Trader, I am taking all your blankets.” she said.
The trader was amazed. He thought that there was some mistake somewhere. So, to clarify, he said, “That will cost twenty lakh pieces of gold.”