Jain Journal 1985 04

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

Page 29

130
JAIN JOURNAL
they saw Ardrakakumar, began to shout, “Oh, what a handsome husband you have got !"
When Srimati opened her eyes she remained looking at the countenance of the monk in wonder. A strange beauty was there on his face. His personality, grace and flower like tenderness all made him so attractive that Srimati could not but drink this necter by her eyes.
“What are you looking at ? You have got a very beautiful husband. Oh, your fortune has taken a very bright turn !” exclaimed her friends.
The eyes of Srimati dropped down in shyness. But in her mind she accepted the monk as her husband. She bowed down at his feet. Her heart was full of love. So were her eyes.
The monk found himself in a very embarassing situation. But he kept quiet and left the place as soon as the girls went home.
When Srimati reached the age of marriage, her parents began to look for a suitable groom. For some time she remained silent but at last she opened her heart to her mother. Her parents and relatives were taken aback at her decision. “Marriage with a monk ? What a folly ! Are you mad ? And marriage with one whose whereabouts we do not know ! Who knows where he is now ?" Such and other arguments were presented before her. Innumerable paintings of desirable grooms were shown to her. But she remained firm in her decision. "If I marry I will marry him only, none else. Otherwise I will remain a spinster."
Time passed by. Months and years elapsed. Father of Srimati made enquiries about the monk but he could not trace him out. One by one almost all her friends got married but she remained unmarried as per her own decision. She kept waiting for that unknown monk. Sitting at her window from dawn to dusk she used to look eagerly at the passers by, but he was not to be found. After sometime her father opened an almshouse hoping that if he ever comes that way he may visit the place. Hundreds of monks and travellers used to come there for food and shelter every day and Srimati sitting at the door kept watch for her monk.
A few years passed away more. But one day did monk Ardraka come that way. As soon as he entered the alms-house, Srimati recognised him. She fell at his feet. All her emotion, as if found its outlet through the torrential flow of tears from her eyes. "Oh my beloved, don't discard me. Accept me and give me a new life." Monk's feet as if in mud got