Jain Journal 1972 10

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

Page 25

72
But the coveted news did not arrive and the Brahmin lady felt bitter and highly depressed. So she repeated the stratagem for the third time, mixing the most dreadful talaputa poison with it. She also insisted that Aramasobha should be brought once to her parental home and if the king did not agree, she advised him to use his Brahminical power to force the king, With these instructions, the Brahmin started, came beneath the Banyan tree, when everything repeated as before, so that the sweet was changed once again, and at the king's palace, everyone was happy to taste the divine stuff and spoke in high praise about its sender.
JAIN JOURNAL
The court was full. Agnisarma made the proposal for Aramasobha's going to her parental home. This he supplemented with the request that the first child should be delivered in her parental home. But the king would not budge. Said he, "This has never been so nor will it ever be. So it is useless to make a request for it."
The Brahmin was prepared for this. He displayed his Brahminical power and threatened to commit suicide right there. Said he rudely, "If you do not send Aramasobha with me, then I shall stain you with the sin of murdering a Brahmin. I gave you my daughter's hand not on this term that she would never visit her parental home. She too must be feeling keen to see her parents. Will the parental affection thus go unresponded ?"
The minister intervened. "Your Majesty," said he, "Surely this Brahmin has gone mad. But if you do not agree, he will not hesitate to stain you with the blasphemy of killing a Brahmin. So, may it be decided that the queen goes."
The king reluctantly agreed. The queen was sent off with much treasure. Along with her started her garden. Agnisikha had her plot wholly ready. She had a deep well dug behind her house. At right moment, Aramasobha gave birth to a divine boy, who looked like a child from a heavenly being.
One day Aramasobha was taken to the backyard of the house to have a wash and her step-mother was attending her. Her own maidservant was busy elsewhere. On seeing the well, Aramasobha asked about it. Agnisikha said, "This has been dug for you. You are now a queen and there may be your enemies who may poison the water if it is fetched from a distance. We had to make all these arrangements keeping in view your safety. Aramasobha took it all as said, but as she bent