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JAINA STORIES
of a queen Well, I know, you will say, you gave them food But was that even worthwhile when you had not yet worshipped the gods and made offerings to the departed forefathers? And this you have done when your mother-inlaw is not present'
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"The lady was not yet prepared to hold her tongue Ambika listened with her lips sealed Just then the queenmother returned The matter reached her ears and she started now her part of the vilification Ambika was at a loss to understand what wrong she had done But she said nothing in protest Silence proved more provocative than an actual exchange of words and the queen-mother's tongue moved like a horse broken from its moovings:
'Ye harlot ! Ye dared to do such a vile thing when I am still alive During my absence, you courted the company of two beggars and I know not what you may do in future. The dignity of this royal house is in danger so long as ye are here'.
"Ambika was a noble lady with few words, but there is a limit to toleration Her heart was pierced, but she felt herself helpless The matter was reported to the king in a very distorted form, and shouted he in rage 'Wherefrom has this vile woman come to this palace? I do not want to see her here even for a moment.'
"Ambika shivered at this turn of events. She had never thought that it would come to this She pitied her own self After so much insult she had borne, life had no more charm for her She hardened herself, took her young sons with her and left the palace All the while, she asked herself, but found no answer, 'What wrong did I do in giving food to the monks? Is it so vile ?'
"But at last, she consoled herself and thought, 'I should blame none They are the outcome of my own impious karma Now I should concentrate on improving my future' So she gathered courage and turned herself inward 'Henceforth I take shelter with Arhat Aristanemi who is fixed in meditation on Mount Raivata'
