Jain Stories 02

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

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JAINA STORIES
But the kiog would not see the right way. He went on repeating his overtures but they were rcpeatedly turned dorn by the two ladies. Kusumashri gave a fipal warning. The king was not ready to apply force Shc at oncc invoked her special powers, tied the king and hurled lum hcadlong down The king lost some of his tecth.
The king lay there helpless and unattended by anyone for several hours He was in cxtrcmc pain, with blood and saliva oozing from his mouth. But much more than that was the humiliation to which he had been put. When he had somewhat recovered, the ladies took pity on him Thcy made him promise not to repeat such a behaviour in future and then he was set free.
Wounded and humiliated, the king returned to the palace. In the morning, he took the chief minister into confidence and narrated the whole thing to him Thc chief minister was now afraid of his own safety and resolved never to tender any more counsel to the king
Harıbala was highly pleased at what his wives had done. Said he, "Never tolerate any torture If it is there, get rid of it Otherwise, it gets enlongened'
Harıbala now remembered the dora for consultation, who appeared at once They prepared a plan as to how best to present the whole thing at the court next morning The deva imparted a great glow to Haribala's body and dressed him in divine robes and ornaments A dreadful attendant was created to accompany him to the court
In the morning, Harıbala, duly attended, appeared at the court The king was taken aback to see Harıbala come back to life from the other world The whole court was astonished Had not everybody seen Harıbala turned into ashes only the previous evening ? On behalf of everybody, however, the king said,
"Harıbala, we are all very happy to see you back We are now anxious to know how you reached the abode of Death, how you were received there, what special things did you notice, if Death has been kind enough to accept our invitation and who this man with you is.”