Jain Journal 1986 10

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

Page 28

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JAIN JOURNAL
melodious songs to the accompaniment of instrumental music. Kovalan was captivated by her charms, dances and songs and fell in love with the courtesan Madhavi. After the wedding celebrations, Kovalan forgetting his wife Kannaki accompanied Madhavi to her residence and lived with her for twelve years. A daughter was born to Madhavi and she was named Manimekhalai. During these twelve years Kannaki observed extreme penance and austerities and attained the supreme state of spiritual wisdom and enlightenment besides super-natural powers to perform miracles. Kannaki distributed her wealth among the poor and the needy people. She offered alms daily to Jaina ascetics and others. Kannaki lived the holy life of a Mahatapasvini, a woman hermit like princess Candanabala who was subjected to ill-treatment, slavery and servitude but later released from bondage through the efforts of Bhagavan Mahavira.
Kovalan, who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth lived in the high life of an aristocrat and spent all his wealth for the happiness of his beloved Madhavi. Madhavi realised her lover's financial difficulties even to maintain her and their daughter. She was in great grief by seeing Kovalan's plight and sufferings for want of money. She suggested to Kovalan that he should approach his wife Kannaki who is rich enough to help him. She is not only noble, pious and wise but also a faithful wife. Kovalan saw Kannaki and she received her husband with great respect and affection. Kovalan told her that he was in great financial difficulties to maintain himself, Madhavi and their daughter. Kannaki replied that she had distributed all her wealth among the poor and cannot give him any cash money but assured her husband that she could nonetheless help him. She gave Kovalan one of her gold anklets studded with precious pearls which would fetch considerable amount of money if it was sold. Kovalan decided to sell the anklet at Madhurai and wished to go alone for the purpose. Kannaki replied that she could not part with him any more in her life and wished to accompany Kovalan to Madhurai. Before their departure, the couple visited a Jaina temple and worshipped the images of Tirthankaras. They also circumambulated a Buddhist and a Hindu temple. Afterwards, they called on the renowned Jaina nun Kavunthi Adikal of Madhurai who was staying temporarily in a convent outside the city. Kavunthi Adikal must have been often visiting Poompukar for delivering sermons and to conduct religious ceremonies especially for her women devotees. Kannaki and Kovalan intimately knew the nun and they held her in great veneration because the nun was her spiritual preceptor. The nun had her permanent convent in the suburbs of Madhurai and she also accompanied the couple to Madhurai, Reaching the suburbs of the city, Kavunthi Adikal proceeded to her convent leaving her two devotees near the huts of cowherds. A kind hearted