Jain Journal 1985 04

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

Page 44

144
him protection! It's difficult to understand. The emperor's heart was full of compassion.
JAIN JOURNAL
"Oh monk!" he said, "Its hard to believe that no one made such a handsome youth his own. But in the kingdom of Srenika you would not remain unprotected, without a lover or a friend. I will protect you. Please come with me. The grandeur of my palace is waiting for you. And the beauty goddess of the land Celana will solace you."
"Oh king! Yourself, your queen and your wealth everything is unprotected. And how can he who himself is unprotected protect
another?"
Till this day none had dared to speak to the emperor in this vein. He was stunned.
"Hear ye monk! The gods of heaven even are jealous of my splendour. Heavenly damsels even long to stay at my palace. And yet you call me unprotected. Strange !"
"Oh king! If you knew the meaning of protection! It has to be realised."
"Oh monk! If you have no objection I want to know about your realisation."
"Oh king! You must have heard the name of the famous city of Kausambi. King Dhanasancaya was ruling there. I was his son. Once at the onset of my youth, I had developed a great pain in my eyes. As a result I got high fever. My entire body was burning like fire. I felt as if my enemy's sharp weapons were piercing me all over my body. Indra's thunder as if was pounding my back, head and heart. My relatives dared not to look at me in my pain.
"All the best doctors, surgeons, tantrics, mantrics were called for my cure but they failed to relieve me of my pain. Not even the cool water of Candrakanta stone could diminish the burning sensation.
"My father's boundless affection and wealth failed to give me any solace.
"My mother's love and affection even failed to diminish my pain.