Jain Stories 02

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

Page 24

JAINA STORIES
I have the added burden of a mother. I sought happiness but I have lost ever what I had ”
In this manner, four years rolled by, and those were long and unhappy years for the young girl She was now a lass of twelve One day while looking after the cattle in the jungle, sbe lay under a tree and fell fast asleep At that time, a big and dark soake, who had a rapid pace and bloodshot eyes, slowly approached and addressed her in a human voice :
“Charming maid ! Fear me not Do as I suggest. I have been living 10 this forest for a long time and good luck prevailing, I was happy here But to-day my ill-luck has come up and there are some charmers in this forest who are in search of me. If they capture me, they will place me in a basket and make my life miserable So I seek shelter with thee Place me on thy lap and cover me with thy cloth To shelter one 10 distress is an act of righteousness."
Vidyutprabha woke up at the approach of the soake. She distinctly heard all this and hurriedly thought.
"I did not acquire much virtue 10 my previous life and hence my present misery If now I do not help this snake in distress, then the door to happiness will never open for
me "
So thinking, she extended her hand to pick up the snake, placed it on her lap and covered it with her cloth No sooner had she finished all this than the charmers arrived on the scene and made enquiries about the snake Vidyutprabha told them that she was sleeping and so she had no knowledge of it.
The charmers were convinced. "After all, this is a young girl," said they among themselves, "She would have been frightened to see the terrible snake. So it can't be here" When they were gone beyond sight, Vidyutprabha told the snake to come out and go its own way But as she removed her cloth, there was no soake to be seen She knew not if she was in a dream or confusion, but before she could think forther, she heard a voice saying ; "I am