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JAINA STORIES
to take food at night. The next day, the whole scene repeated agaia. The boys asked the mother to serve food before sun-set. But the mother said, "Food will be ready at night There is nothing remnant from the morning which you can take So, like good boys, you should have your dinner at night with your father. It is your duty to abide by the wishes of your parents
The two brothers went to their father's shop without taking anything and atteoded their regular duties as everyday. Jasodhara gave strict instruction to his wife to remain strict and give no indulgence. At night, the father again asked the boys to dine with him, but both of them declined The next day the father imposed on them such a heavy load of duties that they had no time to take food, and at night they would not take it, though offered.
In this way, five days passed On the sixth day, Jasodhara sent for both of them. First he tried to pursuade them to give up the vow He said that their mother was on fast on account of them, that everybody in the family was upbappy. He told them that even the learned people took food during the first quarter of the night and that, therefore, there was nothing wrong in it.
Hansa was already very hungry and slowly he was giving way. He looked at Kesava who stood steadfast like a rock. Kesava told his father in most unmistakable terms that it was none of his business to interfere into his affair and that he would do as suited him best
Jasodhara could no longer contain himself. In extreme rage, he brust out,
"What do ye say, ye bad boy? If you do not obey me, I do not shelter one like you to stain my family. Get out at once I do not want as much to see your face."
The final decision for him was thus given by his father and it was irrevocable But Kesava wavered not. He preferred to court hardship to submitting to threat or giving up the vow. He ied the parental home. As Hansa was about to follow him, the father held his band. He induced
