Jain Legend Vol 2

Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

Page 181

like portion at the top of the hut was left open. At night, the moon's reflection fell in the hut through that opening. C akya asked a person to secretly climb on to the hut and to hide himself. Then when he signals him, he has to cover the opening slowly with hay.
After making all these arrangements he called the pregnant woman into the hut and made her sit on a stool. He then gave her a plate filled with water. The full moon reflected in the water. C akya addressing her, said, “Daughter, drink this moon".
The expecting woman started drinking the water. As she kept drinking the water slowly, the person hiding on the roof of the hut began covering the opening with hay little by little. Thus when she drank all the water, the moon was no longer seen. She felt happy thinking that she drank the moon. As her desire was satiated, the child in the womb started growing and in due course she gave birth to a radiant child. Keeping in mind the incident of her desire, he was named as Candragupta.
Farsighted C akya wanted to collect gold to maintain an army for the future king. He was wandering from place to place in search of experts in metals. Meanwhile Candragupta grew up into a boy and while playing with his friends used to behave like a king with them.
Wandering from one place to another, C akya came back to the village of the peacock caretakers. At that time Candragupta was playing with his peers, showing signs of the princely arts. Observing the princely gestures of the boy and listening to the conversation of the children playing with him, C akya understood that he was the same boy whose mother's wish he had fulfilled when she was pregnant.
Stroking Candragupta on his face and head with love, C akya introduced himself and said, “Come with me, I will make you a king”.
The ambitious child Candragupta at once held the little finger of C akya and visualising the most magnificent images of his future empire, accompanied C akya. Apprehensive that any obstacle might impede him from accomplishing his task, C akya, without even informing Candragupta's parents or guardians, left the village immediately for an uncertain destination.
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