Jain Journal 1971 04

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

Page 59

164
JAIN JOURNAL
the eastern grove, and from there to the lake. There they plunged into it, had their bath, and then having taken all sorts of lotuses, etc., they went to the temple of Sailaka Yaksa. Going there, they bowed down to him the moment he was in sight, worshipped him with plenty of flowers and going down on their knees they waited upon him, served him, and bowed down to him. Then the Yaksa having come there at the fixed and appointed hour said thus: “Whom shall I save ? Whom shall I protect ?" Then the sons of Makandi got up ... (and) said : “Save us, protect us.” Then that Sailaka Yaksa said to those sons of Makandi : “Thus, verily, O Beloved of the gods, while you would be crossing the Salt Sea with me, that Ratnadvipadevata who is sinful, ferocious, dreadful, vile, and daring, would put in all sorts of obstacles (in your way) by employing words—harsh and sweet, agreeable and disagreeable, amorous and piteous. If you, therefore, O Beloved of the gods, respect, acknowledge (or entertain) or pay any regard to the words of that Ratnadvipadevata, then I shall throw you away from my back. In case you do not pay any heed, attention, or respect to the words of her I shall rescue you safely.” Then those sons of Makandi said to the Sailaka Yaksa: “Whatever you say, O Beloved of the gods, we shall carry it out to the letter.” Then that Sailaka Yaksa went to the north-east direction, underwent a transformation by means of a magical mutation (became) a horse and said to those sons of Makandi : “O you sons of Makandi, O Beloved of the gods, ride on my back.” Then those sons of Makandi delighted, bowed to the Yaksa Sailaka and mounted on his back. Then that Sailaka ... flew up into the sky ... and started to cross the Salt Sea ...
Then that Ratnadvipadevata had her twentyone rounds on the Salt Sea. She returned to her palace and not finding those sons of Makandi there she went to the eastern grove and searched for them but not getting any trace of them. Then she went to the northern and western grove ... and not finding them there (too) she employed her avadhi knowledge and saw that those sons of Makandi were crossing the Salt Sea with the Yaksa Sailaka. Being enraged and furious she took hold of a sword and a shield ... flew up ... and overtook the sons of Makandi and said: "O ye sons of Makandi, you crave for something which is never longed after. What do you mean, going through the Salt Sea with the Yaksa Sailaka, forsaking me? But even now, if you pay heed to me, then alone there is some hope of your lives. In case you do not pay attention to me then I shall cut off and throw away your heads by this sword ..." Then those sons of Makandi, on hearing these words of that Ratnadvipadevata were not at all frightened, or excited or perturbed, they paid no attention, regard, or heed to the words