Jain Stories 02

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

Page 89

KESAVA
One day, as Kesava was seated at the palace window, ois eyes fell on an old man in the street who was in tattered clothes, and a very embodiment of poverty and distress Kesava took no time to recognise him to be his father. He at once came down and touched his feet The old man was happy to see his son, the more so to see him to be a king Seeing his father alone, Kesava enquired about his elder brother, when the old man sighed and said,
"It is a very sad story. The night you left I forced him to break the vow. He sat to dine with me But it so happened that the food he took was contaminated with deadly poison which soon spread through his body A healer was at once called in He tried his best to save him but could not assure a permanent cure He has farecast that he would not survive beyond a month, when his flesh would separate from the bones under the impact of the deadly poison. I stayed near him for five days Then I started in search of you, and, luck favouring, I have so unexpectedly met you To-day I complete a month since I left home, and I know not if Hansa still lives in his mortal frame"
Kesaya's fraternal affection was awaken By tbe grace of the deva, he, along with his father, was beside his brother's bed in a moment. Hansa's body was emitting a foul smell and the flesh was all dilapidated Kesava could no longer bear the sight The deva at once reminded him of the healing powers he had endowed him with The potion was made ready and sprinkled on Hansa's body. What a wonder, (in no time, Hansa was all right. • It was really a day of great rejoicing and family reunion, The story of Kesava's magical power spread throughout the city and many came to receive cure for their ailments Thereafter Kesava took his paternal family to his own city, Saketa. The king issued a special proclamation, which the people gladly courted ;
“Desist from taking food at night"