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244
JAIN RAMAYAN
"Dear queen! Really you have understood the very heart of the Jin Shasan. Now I am relieved of the burden that was weighing on my heart” Anandmali's delight knew no bounds.
"I am really unfortunate because I cannot follow you. Though I have a strong desire to follow you, I cannot renounce life because if I do so, our tiny children will be like helpless orphans. Of course, this is my attachment. Destiny will take care of them.” Ahilya was overwhelmed with emotions.
This was enough. Anandmali's path was now clear, and easy. On an auspicious day, he received initiation into the Sadhudharma from his elder brother, Muni Kalyangunadhar; and set off on his Padyatra.
Then Muni Anandmali began to carry out severe spiritual endeavours and penance. During his Padyatra, he once happened to go to the Rathavart mountain in the company of Mahamuni Kalyangunadhar. There your, that is, King Taditprabha's eyes fell upon the Muni who was in meditation. As soon as he saw him, the scene of Ahilya's Swayamvar appeared before him. At once, jealousy flamed out from his heart. The cobra of anger spread its hood and hissed. The bird of animosity flapped its wings in the firmament of his heart. In consequence, Taditprabha bound Muni Anandamali who was in meditation with a rope; yet the Muni did not make any movement or resistance. He remained serene, still and unshaken. Impelled by anger, Taditprabha began to thrash him. The Muni bore with all these treatments with equanimity. But the elder brother, Muni Kalğanagunadhar could not bear with this cruel behaviour of Taditprabha. In consequence, infuriated by his ignoble behaviour, he, at once, unleashed upon him his supernatural power called Tejoleshya, with the result that a terrible kind of fire began to burn Taditprabha.
Taditprabha had with him, his queen, Satyashri. She was a woman of great nobility and chastity. She had prevailed upon Taditprabha not to ill-treat and cause pain to a sadhu in that manner. She had tried to impress upon him that it was not at all right to cause affliction to a Muni thus. But Taditprabha
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