Jain Journal 1973 01

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

Page 35

128
JAIN JOURNAL
Now the messengers of Kasi, Kosala, Anga, Kunala, Kuru and Pancala came to the court of Videha, all at a time. Hearing the same request from all the six messengers, Kumbhaka, the king of Videha, called his sentry and asked him to drive them all away.
Consultations were held between the kings of Kasi, Kosala, Anga, Kunala, Kuru' and Pancala. They joined together and attacked Videha.
The king of Videha was not strong enough to meet the combined attack by these six kingdoms. As there was no other way, he closed the gates of the city.
Malli came to Kumbhaka in the evening and said, "Father, you don't worry about me. You invite each king separately to come to the palace alone saying that you will give me to him. When they all come, I will do whatever is to be done."
Kumbhaka saw in her eyes the fire of self-confidence before which even mountains melt and oceans give way.
Next day, the invitation was sent to the kings. They were all happy. But none of them knew that a similar invitation has been sent to all.
When the air was thick with the fragrance of tuberose in the evening all the six kings came to the palace at a time. They looked at one another and thought what it meant. But they could not say anything.
In the middle of the room was the life-size statue of Malli herself wrought in gold. A wonderful creation by a master-artist. One could not turn his eyes from it.
Malli stood near it. She smiled and said, “Isn't-it very beautiful ?” She held its lid a little up. Instantly the room was filled with a foul smell. She dropped it and said, “This body for which you have come is as treacherous as this."
The foul smell was that of rotten food. Malli used to drop a morsel of food into the hollow of the image everyday.