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JAINA STORIES
right after some time To give her respite to convalesce, he turned her into a hermit youth and placed her in a forest. There he visited her every day to win her favour, but was no more successful than he was on the first occasion. Sir, it was this hermit youth whom you yourself met. If you still remember, as on your request, the youth was about to tender his account upto you, there was a cyclone which was a creation by the Vidyadhara, who picked the youth up and took him to his own city There he again repeated his Overtures, but with no better result. Then he unsheathed his sword to kill her but Asokamanjari did not yield Said she,
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"Swords may be helpful to win kingdoms, but not a woman's heart, which can be won by love and affection only By sticking to your haughtiness, you demonstrate how unworthy you are to seek my heart."
"Madan was fully aflame with rage 'You foolish girl! You decry me like that in my very presence Į I must put an end to your life,' he shouted.
"Asokamanjari was not terrified at his words." She said,
"When I am decided not to court thee, what's the point in my staying with thee like this? It is better that you kill me at once. I am no seeker of my life from thy hands.'
"At this, Madan softened. He even changed his mind. Then he turned Asokamanjari into a goose and put her in a cage. When his wife, Kamala, saw the goose, she had some suspicion One day, she induced the goose to give her full account, which she did. Now, you know, a lady cannot bear the presence of a co-wife. So one day Kamala took her chance and opened the cage The goose escaped and was on her wings floating through the air When at last she became tired, she came down to the ground to sit on your lap. Here am I, Sir ! When the Vidyadhara came to know of my escape, he pursued me. The rest of the story is too well-known to everyone present here."
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When the account was complete, Tilakamanjari could no longer restrain herself. She said,
"Sister dear! How did you live in the dense forest as a
