Jain Stories 01

Author(s): Mahendramuni, K C Lalwani
Publisher: A B Jain Shwetambar Terapanth Samaj

Page 93

MUNIPATI
69
-information, Satanika collected his men, took the enemy, vby surprise and routed the army of Champa The king of Champa fled to save his life Satanika celebrated the victory and made a triumphant entry into the city.
" 'Here was a turning point in Seduka's life The king cheld a public reception for him and desired him to ask for any gift The foolish fellow knew not what to ask and begged leave to consult his wife To this the king agreed The brahmin's wife was not keen for wealth. She was rather anxious to safeguard her own position with her man She thought, the brahmin would get villages and wealth for the mere asking, and with affluence, he would lose his head and take another wife, or have concubines If such a -thing happened, that would lead to great misery for her. So she suggested that since the king was favourably, disposed, all that the brahmin should seek was a comfortable life and free meals so that she herself would be liberated of the drudgery of her domestic work, and the two would be able to live happily The brahmin agreed and repeated his prayer as suggested by his wife adding that the household inviting him to dinner should give him a gold coin for that day On hearing it, the king smiled and said, *A real fool you are You have asked for such trifles But nothing is lost yet I give you another chance to formulate your prayer' The brahmin said at once, 'If you want to give me anything, please give what I have asked for I seek nothing else I do not want to entangle myself with villages and treasures All I want are free meals and a daily gift of a gold coin.
" 'The king at once issued a proclamation to that effect throughout the realm Seduka became happy He was
going to new homes everyday and the kingdom was very "big, and Seduka was hardly likely to take his meal twice from the same household in the course of his life And