Jain Stories 02

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

Page 49

HARIBALA
27
Then the minister looked all around and suggested Haribala's Dame He spoke about him in very glowing terms.
The king now turned to Haribala, who felt elated So, even though he was not keen, the mission fell on him. The king was delighted at the success of the plan Haribala returned home and narrated the events at the court to his wife. Vasantashri at once saw in it a trap. She said,
"My dear, you have been deceived. There must be a plot behind all this The king has some evil design Ever since we went to dinner at the palace, he must have been hatching it. He wants to remove you for ever so that he can have me It will be better if you somehow come out of it".
Haribala's sense of pride was hurt. "I may die but I cannot decline an assignment I have accepted," said he "So I must go. The outcome is in the hands of destiny, but to make the best of exertions is within my capacity." Then casting a deep sigh, he added, "I am not as much worried about myself as for you I do not know what may happen to you after I leave'
Vasantashri on her part was not prepared to show any weakness. She said,
"My dear ! May you safely return after the fulfilment of your mission. May there be no difficulty in the way You do not feel aoxious on my score. I am fully capable to guard my purity All the desigos of the king will be bafiled! Harıbala started on an auspicious day He passed through many villages, towns and countries, he left behind many villages, towns and countries; he crossed through many rivers, forests and mountains At last, he reached the sea shore. He had to cross it to reach his destination, but there was no ferry nor did he know how to swim He was now convinced that it was a plot to kill him in this difficult situation, he remembered the deva who appeared at once, and on hearing about the difficulty, he turned himself into a fish to carry Haribala through the sea. Comfortably seated on the back of the fish, Haribala now enjoyed the first experience of a voyage Swimming through the limitlesswaters, the fish at last reached the shores of Lanka Harıbala's