Jain Journal 1985 04

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

Page 58

158
JAIN JOURNAL
The monk was thinking : "Is this Kosa ! There is no passion in her eyes, no fascinating smile on her lips.” What impression he had of the coquetry of the courtesans, Kosa was just opposite of that. He thought Sthulabhadra had not done a difficult task. Much more difficult was his. Still he would show the achievement of his austere discipline by comparison after accomplishing it. Then the Acarya would know his mistake.
The young monk had thought that he had known his own mind, but far from it. There were in it embers of hidden desires. That was why he could not understand what was attracting him towards her. So gradually he became unmindful regarding his observances.
Kosa rarely visited the monk. Still when the monk would see her he used to feel a pang. Kosa knew this. So she stopped to visit him at all.
But the result was just the opposite. His eyes were constantly waiting to have a glimpse of her, his ears to hear her footfalls. Every particle of his body chanted the name of Kosa.
One night when Kosa was going to retire she saw the monk before her. Startled she said, “Master, you ?"
The monk remained looking at her face as if he was saying, "Don't you understand, Kosa ?”
Even if he had to look at this beautiful face for millions of years still it would not satisfy him. Tonight his eyes were sleepless.
Kosa came near him and repeated, “Master, you? At this hour ?"
“Yes I am. I have lost today everything but you. I have come here to have you. How beautiful and lovely you are !"
Tears came almost in her eyes. Had the evil destiny have a look at the time of birth of a girl.
Taking it at ease Kosa replied, “You will be my guest it is my luck. But what present you will bring me in exchange ?"
"I am a monk. What can I give you ?"