Jain Journal 1971 04

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

Page 58

APRIL, 1971
thought that as she had prohibited them to go to the southern grove (there must be some reason.) It would be better (for them if they went) to the southern forest grove. (And accordingly they) started towards the southern grove. From there proceeded a smell like that of the carcass of a snake. Then those sons of Makandi, being overpowered by that foul smell, covered their faces with their upper garments and went into the southern grove. There they saw a huge gallows surrounded by heaps of bones, and having a dreadul appearance; there they also saw a man on the gallows who was bewailing piteously, miserably, and in a hoarse voice. Being frightened and scared away, they approached that man on the gallows and said to him as follows: "O Beloved of the gods, whose is this gallows? Who are you? From where did you come here? And who reduced you to this plight ?" Then that man on the gallows spoke : "This is, O Beloved of the gods, the gallows of the Ratnadvipadevata. I hail, O beloved of the gods, from the Jambudvipa island, from Bharatavarsa, from the city of Kakandi. I was a dealer in horses, and I launched my ship on the Salt Sea, loaded with plenty of merchandise. Then with my ship wrecked and all my merchandise drowned, I happened to catch hold of a piece of plank. And then being carried away I drifted towards this Ratnadvipa island. Then that Ratnadvipadevata saw me, took me with her, and then went on enjoying all sorts of pleasures with me. Then that Ratnadvipadevata once lost her temper with me for a very trifling offence on my part and reduced me to this miserable plight. So you never can have any idea, O Beloved of the gods, to what miserable state your bodies also will be reduced to." Then those sons of Makandi on listening to this from that man on the gallows were terribly frightened, and terrified, and spoke to that man thus: "O Beloved of the gods, how shall we rescue ourselves from the clutches of that Ratnadvipadevata ?" Then that man on the gallows said to the sons of Makandi thus: "Here, O Beloved of the gods, in the eastern grove, in a temple dedicated to him, resides a Yaksa, named Sailaka, who has the form of a horse. Now that Sailaka Yaksa (comes here) on the fourteenth, the eighth, the new moon and on the full moon nights and says loudly 'Whom shall I save? Whom shall I protect?' Go you, therefore, O Beloved of the gods, to the eastern grove and there worship that Sailaka Yaksa with plenty of flowers and bending down wait upon him. When he would come at his appointed and fixed hour, and would repeat 'Whom shall I save ? Whom shall I protect?' you say unto him: 'Save us, protect us.' The Sailaka Yaksa (alone)
can rescue you...
...
""
163
Then those sons of Makandi, on hearing this from the man on the gallows went quickly, speedily, hotly, briskly, and in great hurry, to