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94
JAINA STORIES
There are occasions when nature becomes instrumental 10 pulling up hidden thoughts and emotions in us It was the rainy season The sky was covered with dark clouds Cool wind was blowing Occasionally there were drizzles. Madan was at his window Suddenly he heard the wall of some forsaken woman He thought, 'It must be very woeful for those ladies whose husbands are not with them I have forsaken my two wives and left them behind They must be feeling very much lonely and aggrieved in this rainy season.'
These thoughts enkindled his lost love, and his eyes became moist When Vidyullata saw this, she became 10quisitive about the occasion for this sudden grief. Madan did not try to conceal his thoughts. The lady, however, concealed her feelings and said,
“Why don't you go to them ? That's your duty." --"How can I unless you give me leave ?”
Vidyullata became jealous but did not appear so. She said,
"It may be difficult to go during this season. The roads must be very bad. Better go in autumn”
Madan agreed Now, the rains were over and autumn had come Madan sought leave from his wife Ladies are usually jealous of their co-wives Vidyullata didn't prevent his going, but she made such a plan that she would have the thread in her own hand, and instead of getting away from her, he would all the more be attracted towards her like a flying kite. She gave him among other food items, some enchanted karambas to be taken during the journey He set out happily, on the road to Kusasthalpur. At noon, he sat on the bank of a tank to have his lunch Just then a tapasa monk came that way. Madan invited him to share the food
svith him The monk accepted the invitation All on a -sudden, the monk was turned into a goat and it started moving towards the city of Sapkasa - Madan was surprised He began to follow it.
One surprisiog event paved the way for many others. The goat had no8 reached the house Madan satched from a
