Jain Journal 1977 07

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

Page 21

JULY 1977
Reborn, she was the Rajimati Who peeped through the bridal drapery. At the sight of her reborn bridegroom Girlish heart burst into woman's bloom And the tender creepers of her arms Reached forth to press him to a woman's charms. ... Abandoned bride In the pool of tears, yet a new bridegroom she denied. "I am his, though he is not mine, My bridegroom becomes my shrine. I vow to see myself, not as abandoned bride But with my bridegroom dissatisfied With spouse and child, emerald and kohl, Links in a chain of attachments to bind my soul, For a chain of gold or a chain of iron Alike fetter my soul that freedom would beckon. Silence, ye ankle bells! Nor sorrow That my monk bridegroom I follow."
Rajimati became a wandering nun, Sweet harmlessness was her protection. One day in a far, lonely place Raindrops fell on her lotus face. Mid the storm, she drew into a forlorn cave And threw off her wet robe, to save Herself from its clinging chill When she heard a cave-voice of evil: "Sweet Lady! Hear my plea, I am thy bridegroom's elder brother, Rathanemi. Nor clutch for thy fallen garment, Thy body is thy ornament ! O, Raindrop Clad, Bend ye to this rockbound monk, joyfully mad !" “False monk,” the nun said in glacial voice, “Celibacy was thy free choice. To know thy brother's abandoned bride Would plunge ye to spiritual suicide. Thy senses, wild horses, are running away. Rein up, Monk ! Before ye betrary Thy eternal soul, thy faithful companion When the faithless body shall ye abandon.”