Jain Journal 1980 07

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

Page 22

JULY, 1980
Rajimati stepped backwards uttering a cry as if the poisonous breath of a venomous snake had touched her body. Rathanemi was standing before her obstructing the path with what unquenchable desire!
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Rathanemi said, 'O gazelle-eyed one, your age is not ripe enough to be a nun. I can perceive a dreamy desire of ketaki flower on your red lips which are eager to press the lips of your lover. Your shoulder is as white as campaka flower..."
Cutting him short in the middle said Rajimati, 'Vrsni, your praise must have a limit. I can't stand any more. Please let me be alone.'
'But why?' said Rathanemi with a look of pain in his eyes. 'Am I not fit for your love?'
Rajmati's throat choked with emotion to give him an answer. Was she not eager for love? But then how that other Vrsni, the very god in the shrine of her heart gave her up in a moment. But no...
Rathanemi was looking at the internal conflict of Rajimati with the intense passion of a lover. Suddenly he said, 'O one with beautiful form, does my intense passion create any ripple in your heart?"
Slowly said Rajimati, "Transcient pleasures of love are frail and unreal. I shall never have any desire for them.'
Rathanemi was standing with his head hung. And in her own thoughts Rajimati was looking absent-mindedly towards the distant valley majestically mingling in the horizon. Heavy rain had slowed down. The wet air was fragrant with the smell of wild flowers.
Gently turning towards him Rajimati said, 'If you had been Vaisravana in beauty, Nalakuvera in grace, or even the king of heaven, still I would not have desired you.'
As if tearing his heart out Rathanemi wanted to dedicate it at Rajimati's feet. He said, 'O beautiful one, don't be so cruel towards
me.'
Rajimati felt a pain in her heart for him. She was hearing the cry of Rathanemi's heart which was even louder than the murmur of the rivulet fed with rain-water nearby. Could she be so indifferent towards him and his pangs of love?