Jain Journal 1970 10

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

Page 14

OCTOBER. 1970
the Ganges, he came here. In due course with the pressure of his passions subsiding he was given dikşã by Dharmanandana.
5. Moha (infatuation) - Biography of Mohadatta :
A stern king Kosala by name ruled in Kosala, capital of Kosala. Prince Tosala was his worthy son who moved freely in the town. One day he saw a beautiful girl behind the latticed window of the banker's palace. He gazed at her with passionate affection and she responded favourably. When it grew dark he managed to get into her private appartment. He was about to leave her respecting her chastity but she detained him on account of her passion. She disclosed that she was the daughter of the banker Nanda and was married to Haridatta. Her name was Suvarna. Her husband went to Lanka for trade some twelve years back and nothing was heard of him till now. This unfortunate separation had made her restless and when in a despondent mood she wanted to commit suicide she saw him from the window. Either he should be her lover or she would die. The prince became her lover and in course of time she became pregnant. The scandal was whispered all round and Nanda reported the whole thing to the king. When Tosala was found guilty of this crime, the king ordered his minister to behead the prince. The minister, however, allowed him to go scotfree provided he disappeared to an unknown destiny. Accordingly Tosala ran to Pataliaputra and started serving under king Jayavarmana as a common man. Suvarnadevi, who was carrying, believed that Tosala was dead and in sheer humiliation she ran away from her father's house and joined a caravan bound for Pataliaputra. Due to physical disability, she lagged behind, and one night she delivered twins, a boy and a girl. Though in despair, she wanted now to live for them. When she went out for a wash, the garment in which the two kids were folded and tied was picked up by a hungry tigress. The girl was dropped on the road, later picked up by a messenger of king Jayavarmana and was nourished at Pataliputra by his wife who named her Vanadatta. Sabara Singha attached to Jayavarmana while out for huntin up that boy who too grew in Pataliputra as Vyaghradatta alias Mohadatta. In due course Suvarnadevi also reached Pataliputra and happened to serve as a nurse to Vanadatta, not in any way recognising her.
During spring Mohadatta and Vanadatta saw each other at a festivity and felt passionately attracted to each other. Later Tosala also saw Vanadatta, escorted by Suvarnadevi. Suvarnadevi did not recognise him nor did Tosala recognise her. Tosala was now full of passion for Vanadatta and rushed for her hand at the point of sword.