Jain Journal 1981 01

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

Page 21

96
JAIN JOURNAL
all the camps would be astir with activity, the sound of war-drums and the trumpets, the rattle of the sabres and the braying of the horses would fill the air. And then ... and after that ...
No, she had no fear in entering the burning fire to end her life.
Like the invaders in the camps she was also waiting. Won't prince Parsva come to her rescue ? She had heard that his father had sent his special envoy to the court of Kashi. Then why he was delaying for so long ? The month of anxiety and hope was coming to an end. His father was promise-bound to give a reply within this period,
At the very moment she saw a grey cloud of dust in the distant horizon. That cloud began to expand and spread around coming nearer and nearer as if a storm was heading to attack the hot summer afternoon.
... No, it was not the roar of the storm but the sound of an advancing cavalry. Then really was he coming to her rescue ? Could she shake off her fears like dead leaves ? She fell in a reverie.
'Princess...
Prabhavati turned her face to look. Near her was standing her maid Subinita.
Princess! I have come with good news. Destroying the camps of the Kalinga king, prince Parsva has arrived at the gate of the fortress.'
Tears rolled down the eyes of Prabhavati in joy. In ecstasy she embraced her maid. Then taking her own priceless necklace she placed it on her neck. She said, “This is a small token of the good news.'
An apartment inside the palace. Prince Parsva was taking rest after the campaign. He knew not when he fell asleep.
Suddently he awoke inhaling the scent of a woman's hair. He saw a woman in white dress whose hair was dark and cloudlike and face as beautiful as the moon. She was looking intently at him.
“Who are you ?', Demanded prince Parsva.
‘Prabhavati, princess of Kushasthala.' Rung a sweet voice.