Jain Stories 02

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

Page 27

ARAMASOBHA
his retinue were also moving, all topsy-turvy This was a great surprise for the king. He was auxious to discover Its secret and came to know that the forest was moving with the girl. So he asked his minister to approach the girl and request her to go back to her original position, assuring her that his men would find her cows The minister did as per the king's command As soon as the girl returped, the forest stopped still The king's men and animals were restored to order and the king was happy Then the minister said :
"Your Majesty ! The surprise we experienced seems to be all due to this girl"
The kiog replied, "Truly so Is she a nymph, or a girl from the nether world, or even a damsel from heaven ? She would be a precious acquisition for the palace of any king."
The minister agreed At the king's wishes, he came again to the girl, told her all about the king, and finding her favourably disposed, at right moment, proposed for her shand for his master
Vidyutprabba was abashed and said
“High-born damsels do not select their busband He is selected for her by the parents You may like to converse with my father. His name is Agaisharma and he lives in the village nearby.".
The minister went to her father and narrated the whole thing This became a moment of great joy for Agoisharma too He was brought to the presence of the king in the forest Now, delay was unbearable to the king and so the marriage was celebrated then and there as per gandharya sites The king wanted to change the name of his new consort, and as she had a forest umbrella-cover on her head, she was henceforth to be called Aramashobha (meaning comfort and grace). To put the brabinın in asuence, the kiog bestowed on him revenue from twelve villages.
Then the king mounted on the elephant in the company of his wife ready to depart. The forest was still on her head. The minister went ahead of the party to organise the recep11on of the royal couple at the capital. It was a great