Jain Journal 1985 04

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

Page 42

142
JAIN JOURNAL
“Bed room doors of Celana will remain open throughout the night expecting the arrival of her lord.”
The empress Celana slowly retraced her steps leaving behind ripples in the ocean of moonlight by the tinkling of her diamond anklets.
The emperor in his delight got hold of the moon of the sky and holding it like mirror began to look at his face. And suddenly he was in love with himself.
The huge moon looking like a miniature earth was moving hastily to set in nirvana. In the faint moonlight as soft as the silk of her dress, empress Celana was driving her own chariot Sahasrar for taking the emperor to Samyak garden. The mild fragrance of Parijat flowers brought by the cool morning breeze were opening unknown depths.
A solitary ray of a blue star was dancing in the depths of the Tamala grove of the Samyak garden. That too was lost in the thick hair of Celana, the beautiful damsel of Vaisali. Lost in the deepest blue of fragrant darkness for some time Srenika raised his head from her bosom.
She asked, "Got the deer-navel?”
“For a moment but then it became a deer again. You are unfathomable, Celana. You are beyond my reach. Even after enjoying you, you remained as remote. Dew drops do not stay on the petals. High waves have to recede after embracing the sandy beach."
“Come then, my lord, let us enjoy ourselves in the cool waters of the Antarmani lake."
The moon had slipped down the horizon. The darkness of the night still lingered in the foliage of Mandara tree surrounding the lake. The sun which was ready for dawn hid itself in the inner garments of the princess of Videha.
While bathing in the waters of the Antarmani lake garments got more and more thin being wet and when they slipped off their bodies they knew not.
The emperor Srenika seeking refuge in the arms of his beloved fell asleep like a child. The sun released from the garments of the empress began to spread its pink in the eastern sky. And when he awoke the