Jain Journal 1980 10

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

Page 18

RIPUPRATISATRU
GANESH LALWANI
When the festivity in honour of Sakra was over Ripupratisatru, the king of Potanapura, entered the forest with a desire for hunting.
The brow of eastern sky was being flushed with light. The mist was lifting slowly like a silken curtain. The water of village pond was as red as the filament of lotus flower. The entire forest had taken a rosy hue by the falling of flower pollen.
Being overpowered by the sweet smell of wild Kutaja flower Ripupratisatru even forgot that he had come for hunting. He promenaded uncertainly enchanted as if his eyes were eager to dive deep in the inner beauty of the dew-washed woodland.
Thus promenading where he had come he himself did not know. It had passed noon. The atmosphere was hot by the scorching rays of He felt a thirst and a longing which were almost inexplicable.
the sun.
At one end there stood different kinds of ancient trees in a cluster giving shade to the dust beneath. There under a tree Ripupratisatru took shelter. He was feeling the bliss of peace and calm when he heard from very near the sound of water crane, the humming of the bees who were attracted by the sweet smell of the water lily. Spontaneously his legs carried him to that direction. When he had not gone far he felt that his inference was not incorrect. In front of him was a softly flowing rivulet exposing the beauty of lotus blossoms.
Ripupratisatru quenched his thirst by drinking that cool water, but his eyes became freshly athirst.
On the bank of that rivulet under the shade of a Priyaka tree which was in full bloom he saw a woman lying idly like a golden creeper on the emerald green of grass. Rays of the sun fell admiringly on her dishevelled hair, on her brow, on her breasts, on her hips through the leaves and fronds. His body trembled with a sudden desire. Slowly he paced towards her.