Jain Stories 02

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

Page 30

JAINA STORIES
sort of message The brahmin was again on the road to Pataliputra. When he arrived beneath the same banyan tree, he was tired, lay down and fell fast asleep As before, the modaka was changed by the Yaksha, was later taken to the court and delivered to the king This time, too, the modaka was tasted by all the queeps and both Aramasobha and her mother were praised by all
But the coveted bad news about Aramasobha's death did not arrive and the brahmia-lady was bitter and highly depressed. So she repeated the mischief for the third time, mixing this time the most dreadful talaputa poison with it She also insisted that Aramasobha should be brought once to her parental bome, and if the king did not agree, she advised her husband to use his brahminical power to force his hands The brahmio started again, came under the same banyan tree, where everything repeated as before, so that the modaka was changed, and once again, at the palace, everyone was happy to taste the divine stuff and spoke in high praise of its sender.
The court was now in fall session. Agnisharma made the proposal about his daughter's going to her parental home, and 10sisted that her first child should, 10 fairness to the custom prevailing, be delivered there But the king would not budge, “That has never been so," said he, "and that will never be." The brahmin now displayed his brahminical power and threatened to commit suicide right there if his request was not honoured Said he, "If you do not send Aramasobha with me, then I shall stain you with the sin of murdering a brahmin Oh king, I gave you my daughter's hand oot on this term that she would never see her parents at their own home She too must be feeling keen to go there once. Will the parental affection thus go unheeded ?"
The minister intervened, "Your Majesty ! Surely this brahmin has gone mad But if you do not agree, he will not hesitate to stain you with the blasphemy of killing him. So may it be decided that the queen goes once"
Under so, much pressure, the king reluctantly agreed.