Jain Journal 1978 10

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

Page 30

OCTOBER, 1978
73
Now she looked at him in wonder. Alms! No, its, not the face of a begger asking for alms but the face of a lover immensely in love. Like a flash of lightning a smile spread on her tinted lips. She said: 'I am Ruchira, the courtesan. What can I give you than my beauty and my
youth?
Nandisen was astonished at his own voice. Some one said from within him: 'I am thankful to you for this my Beauty! Ye are the first wonder of my life, dream of my youth, sweet fragrance of my dream. Without you, all my meditation, my endeavour are useless.'
Ruchira burst into a loud laughter. Then streching her arms she moved forward and in a moment she was lost in the close embrace of a young lover.
Six long years rolled away like six moments. But Nandisen knew nothing of it. He knew not when the sun rose and when it set. And when the moon spread the magic of its beams. Everything of his was lost in a void, as if there was nothing in the universe except he and his Ruchira.
But a day came when the infatuation had its end. And one fine morning gladdened by the chirping of the birds he came out on the open by tearing himself away from the embrace of Ruchira. The first glowing red of the morning was just then bursting in its glory.
Astonished Ruchira followed him and then obstructing his path stood before him and said: 'Where are ye going, my Love?
Nandisen was looking at her face. Was she the woman of wild beauty of his dream, on seeing whom he lost control of his self? Today his look went deeper and deeper much beyond the beauty of form. And his eyes were moist. At last looking at her face he said: 'Forgive me, Ruchira.'
Forgive! And she breathed heavily from her heart.
Then said Nandisen slowly: “Today in my dreams during the break of dawn I have seen the compassionate eyes of Mahavira. They are calling me.'
Her creeperlike body with the lilting grace began to tremble in the apprehension of painful separation. Instantly she fell on the wide bosom of Nandisen and pressed him to her breast. In a tight embrace she was saying: "Speak Nandisen, speak, you won't leave me alone.'