Jain Stories 02

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

Page 86

64
JAINA STORIES
They provided him with a cushion and Kesava lay on it. Soon he was fast asleep
After some time, the yaksa woke him up to announce the sun rise and invite him to partake of the offer
Kesava rubber his eyes and stood up. He looked around to see light but he was not sure if the sun was really up. He had a feeling that he did not sleep for long and it could not be morning so soon It must surely be another of the yaksa's tricks But to be doubly sure he extended his gaze and saw darkness all around doubt now that it was still the dead of night. to the yaksa.
He had no
So he said
The sun is not yet up. It is all a trick by you. But I am strong in my vow and I cannot accept food before
""
sun-rise
The whole group headed by the yaksa was now prepared to coerce him So he stood fast, with his eyes shut, as if in meditation The noise gradually settled down, followed by a dead silence. When, at last, Kesava opened his eyes, he saw to his surprise that there was nothing-neither the the temple, nor the yaksa nor the devotees Instead, there stood a divine person, who spoke in a solemn tone :
"Kesava ! You have passed through your test You are fulfilling the vow with the same steadfastness with which you started it So you deserve to be congratulated One day in the assembly of gods in heaven, when the king of gods was eloquently praising you for you steadfastness, all those present agreed with him, with the solitary exception in me. But, to-day, I am an eye-witness of your strength. The ordeal you underwent was all my creation, and I am sorry for the trouble caused to you I crave thy forgiveness and pray, you ask for a boon "
Kesava "You bless me, sire, that I may continue to fulfil my vow till the end of my life I am in no need of
anything else"
Deva "Still I want to bestow something on you, and you will do me the favour to ask for something."