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JAINA STORIES
snatched away the lady and inflicted on the man the bitterest torture, nailing his hands and feet He lay there helpless and extremely pained A monkey took pity on him He brought soms water on a lotus leaf for him to drink, took out the nails, japplied some healing potion and helped him to cure
" 'This raised a curiosity in the man's mind as to why the monkey took all the trouble to cure him which even a human being would rarely do He understood the man's thought and said, 'Lucky man 1 Don't you recognise me? I was yoir neighbou in your previous birth, a druggist, Siddha by name I died of arta dhyana and am born in this animal form As I saw you, my long memory revived, and I recogoised you at once
" 'Subrata was happy to hear these words from the monkey, He conveyed his gratitude to him and said, 'You have rendered me a great service and saved my life. What can I do for you?' These words brought tears in the monkey's eyes Said be, 'You can do a lot for me, In this forest, I was living in the company of 500 she-monkeys. But a powerful monkey has come and ousted me from my position. He is now the master of the whole group. I have been rendered useless If you kindly help me, I can regain my previous position'
“ 'Subrata started at once - As he saw the rival monkey, he killed him with his sword His benefactor thus regained his ladies | But he could not forget his own wife who
was still with the robber Even the thought of it greatly afflicted him He thought out a plan again and turned his steps towards the den He found the chief lying asleep and he cut him into two at one stroke Thus he Tegained his wife at last. But as he was returning with her, he saw a monk in kayıtsarga posture He sat at his -feet When the meditation was over, the monk spoke some
