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10
JAINA STORIES
of Patalıputra, the king arranged a fitting welcome. Hewas pleased to see a godly son but was sorry at the queen's plight. When he enquired the cause of it, she repeated the same words as before- some internal disease or disorder." The king's sorrow knew no end. When he enquired about the forest, the lady said, “When I came, it was taking water at the well. So I have left it behind. It will come itself after some time." The king had some doubt about the lady Was it Aramasobha or someone else had stepped in her place ? He apprehended that there might be a trick behiod it, some sort of mischief. He said to her again : “My dear! Bring that forest back. I feel so uneasy without it'
And there was the same evasive reply, "Be not anxious, sir ! It will come back in times
The king's doubt was now largely confirmed This was. another lady and there had been some mischief-mongeriog at his cost. The plot must be unfolded.
At the other end, Aramasobba was safe and comfortable at her underground shelter and all her needs were taken care of by the god One day she said to him, “I feel very uneasy for my sop It beboves you, oh god, to do something to relieve me of this."
"This can be done by dint of my power, but only onone condition At night you may go to your son, but you must return before sun-rise if you fail, then you forfeit my assistance for ever. And in that case, a dead snake will drop from your braid and that will sever our link beyond repair. If you agree, then your desire to meet your son may be fulfilled "
Aramasobba agreed With the god's power assistingher, she reached the palace, embraced the cbild in her arms and was happy to play with him When the time for her return approached, she placed the child on the couch, scattered some fruits and flowers from her forest and left When in the morning the matter was reported to the king, he made enquiries about it from the queen who said,. “My Lord! I brought these fruits and flowers from my forest and scattered them here"
