Jain Journal 1978 07

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

Page 50

JULY, 1978
assisted Jayanta for the interview though she was innocent of the motive of unfair revenge cherished by the injured artist. When she learnt this she reprimanded Jayanta from the core of her heart. As a sequence of the drama Pradyota sent an envoy to the court of Satanika asking for Mrigavati which was obviously refused and consequently Kausambi was invaded by a large army from Ujjayini. The invaders, the veterans of Pradyota camped before the walls of Kausambi. The comparatively small force of Kausambi found a brave general in Rumanvan but the situation turned dismal in view of the sudden illness of Satanika who was now on his death bed. When the actual battle was still to begin Satanika breathed his last getting promise from his wife, generals and courtiers that, Udayana, the child prince would be enthroned as his successor. The moment was utterly discouraging to the citizens of Kausambi. The small army was losing morale in view of the king's death, the problem of a child successor and an overwhelming army beyond the walls to gratify their desire of all kinds. But Mrigavati took a heroic stand by her personal sacrifice. After disclosing her heart to Bhagavati Kausiki (a wandering nun) she made her own resolution to protect her country, subjects and faithful warriors by sending a message to Pradyota that, she would surrender herself to him if he repaired the battlements of the city, send food for the citizens and assist in the crowning of Udayana. The invader from Avanti had least doubt that a promise from the ksatriya queen could never be shaken. He was ready in his game of love. Time passed in this way and when the further fortification of Kausambi was complete with the help of the army of Pradyota who were as surprised to work as allies as the citizens of the beleaguered city Mrigavati told the entire plan to her court and requested the persons at helm to annoint Udayana as the king without fear now that she was leaving for Pradyota and Kausambi was adequately defended against any further peril of siege. But she assured her officers and feudatories that, the invader from Ujjayini would receive her not as alive but dead. The assembly was perplexed and moved by what she did to stop bloodshed. One of them suggested that instead of destroying herself she might surrender at the feet of Mahavira. This gave a new vision of light to the queen who would do this for emancipation from the bondage of transient life only after begging permission from Pradyota. When the Tirthankara was delivering sermon in Candravatarana Caitya Mrigavati expressed her wish to enter into the order of nuns. When she approached Pradyota for permission he was a changed man. Struck by her purity and ethereal grace the predator succumbed in a reverential love and admiration which he never experienced before. He not only gave her the permission, but also took the warrior's oath to protect the boy prince.