Jain Stories 02

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

Page 55

HARIBALA
"Even though this time it will be a play with death," they said, “but everything will be okay. The king will be taught a lesson and our purity will remain uomolested."
A huge pyre was erected outside the city At the right moment, the king came there followed by all the people of the city. Harıbala too was there. Everybody was unhappy and there was a suppressed discontent about the king's behaviour, No one had any doubt that the king was intent upon liquidating a very capable man Harıbala became a hero in the eyes of the people who praised him in all directions for his merits, for his charities and for his keen intellect and personality.
The dela was invoked by Harıbala at the right moment. He arrived at once He heard about the new difficulty and said:
“You go back to your own mansion and I replace you here I sball jump into the fire and the mean ideas of the king will not materialise"
This was immediately put into effect. At the proper time, a figure looking like Harıbala jumped into the pyre. Soon the body was reduced to a pile of ashes The king was happy He was sure that Harıbala would return no more
It was mid-night and Haribala was talking with his wives The king unexpectedly arrived. Harıbala hid himself in an antechamber, and the two ladies got ready to receive the king and teach him a proper lesson. The king came in and said, "Now Haribala has repaired to the city of Yama, and there is none to protect you here. So I have come to invite both of you to the palace You are very lucky and you shall be my queens" The two ladies now shouted with rage :
"The king is expected to suppress the wicked But when the king himself is a rogue, who is to suppress him ? You are not our saviour. You want to ruin us We do not want to look at you Why do you then come here again and again ?" J-3