________________
The Marvellous Incident At Kauthukamangal
"Your astounding valour sharpened my skill, dear lord".
"Whatever it may be, your charioteering simply thrilled me. Your skill is really excellent! It is on account of your skill that my prestige was saved and I could hold my sway over the whole battle-field. Therefore, the King of Ayodhya desires to honour you. You ask for any boon from him".
"This is the magnanimity of the king of Ayodhya".
"Dear Queen, ask for a boon. At present, I am immensely pleased".
191
"Should I ask for it now ?"
"Yes. You must ask for it now".
"I will ask for the boon when an occasion arises. Till then may the boon be with you".
"What a perplexity has arisen !"
"Do not worry. I will surely ask for the boon but I will ask for it when an occasion arises".
"Let it be as you desire".
The lights had grown dim. The night had far advanced. Kaikayi slowly closed the door of the chamber. The sentinel rang the bell to indicate that it was past midnight.
In this manner, four months passed in Kauthukmangal. Nobody knew how so much time had passed. The members of the royal family were in great happiness. Once, finding an occasion, Janaka said to Dasarath.
"Dear King! For some time past, a thought has been repeatedly rising in my mind".
"What thought is it?"
"The thought of going to Mithila".
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
