________________
The earlier janmas of Shri Ram and Sugriva
385
the mysteries of their earlier janmas from the great muni. Man has a natural desire to know everything about his past janmas.
Acharya Jayabushan visualised the past and tried to reveal it thus.
“This is a matter that relates to immemorial times.
Once there was a city by name Kshemapur in the Bharatkand.
A merchant by name Nayadutt lived in that city. His wife was Sunanda.In course of time, she gave birth to two sons. They were named Dan Dutt and Vasu Dutt. A brahmin family lived in the neighbourhood of Naya Dutt's house. The head of the family was Yagnavalkya. He was very intimate with Dan Dutt and Vasu Dutt.
Another merchant by name Sagar Dutt lived in that city. His wife was Ratnaprabha. They had a son and a daughter by name Gunadhar and Gunavati.
When Gunavati grew up to be a damsel of beauty and grace, she was like a flower blooming in the garden of Sagar Dutt's house. Sagar Dutt began searching for a suitable bridegroom for her. Suddenly, he thought of Dhan Dutt the elder son of Naya Dutt. He felt that Dhan Dutt was suitable as a bridegroom for his daughter from every point of view. In consequence, he placed his proposal before Naya Dutt. Naya Dutt heartily welcomed the proposal. Accordingly, Gunavati and Dhan Dutt were betrothed,
But Destiny played its sport. What should not have happened, occurred. A wealthy merchant of the city by name Shrikanth placed before Gunavati's mother Ratnaprabha the proposal that he would give her enormous wealth including gold coins if she gave her daughter to him in marriage. Ratnaprabha
e offer. So, she agreed to give her daughter in marriage to Shrikanth. Sagar Dutt had no knowledge of this development, but Yagnavalkya the friend of Dhan Dutt somehow came to know of it. Finding a suitable opportunity, he said to Dhan Dutt, "Dear friend! You may not get Gunavati”.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org