Jain Journal 1975 10

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

Page 16

Act II
(Place : The Assembly Hall of King Siddhartha. Time : Afternoon. Direction : Richly-decorated Assembly Hall. A big portrait of Lord Parshvanath on the front wall. On the sides life-size statues. Golden throne in the centre, with frills of pearl. Footrests of brocade. Velvet carpet on the floor. Entire hall fragrant with incense of sandal and camphor.
King Siddhartha is about fifty—broad forehead and acquiline nose. He is in his regalia, with a crown on his head and shoes studded with precious stones. The king is pacing up and down and his lips are quivering with rage. Commander-in-Chief Girisen is facing him like a culprit. The King shouts aloud]
Siddhartha :
Girisen, please let me know how did our best elephant escape from the stable. How did he break open the iron chains round his feet? What were the guard, the gateman and the Mayor doing ? Were they merrily watching on the mall, while the elephant crushed my people under his feet.
Girisen:
My Lord, the head-keeper was on his guard, but...
Siddhartha :
What guard! What do you mean by watch-and-ward if mishaps continue to happen and the Mayor can not bring them under control. There is cloud-burst and the lightning strikes the earth. Is that your concept of security ?
Girisen :
Pardon me, my Lord ! The head-keeper was giving a bath to the elephant.
Siddhartha :
What sort of bath was that, so that the elephant should give a blood-bath to my innocent subject.
Girisen :
My Lord, there was no such possibility. But an arrow from an unknown direction struck the elephant. The animal got agitated and ran off in one direction. The best efforts of the Mahout could not stop him. He ran post-haste due north.