Jain Journal 1985 04

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

Page 39

Lord of Self : Lord of All
VIRENDRA KUMAR JAIN
Srenika Bimbisara, emperor of Magadha, was standing on the topmost balcony of his palace called Mahanila. On the onset of dusk the full moon of Caitra Purnima was visible in the horizon. The moonlight was playing on the white marble of the railings of the balcony and blue floor of the roof. The mild breeze was carrying the sweet fragrance of mango blossoms of the garden below.
Standing on the balcony the emperor was looking far beyond the limit which mortal eyes could reach. He did not know even, where he was, what he was looking at and what he was looking for.
Suddenly the silence was broken by a faint tinkling of anklets. A fragrance, special to Vaisali came and recalled the emperor's mind from roaming in the unknown.
“My lord, it's only me, none else...”
“Welcome Celana, my dear. What can be the cause of hesitation on the part of the empress of Magadha ?”
"I have disturbed you, my lord, in your reverie.”
“The empress has full authority over my whole being.”
“But to my regret I find, that I have lost it of late.”
"Celana dearest, you are where you were, probably I have moved away from thence. Are you surprised, my dear ?"
"Where are you moving about, my lord ?”
"In the deer forest of your eyes."
“What will you get there, my love, except mirage like hallucination? What really are you looking for ?"
"The navel of the deer...”