Jain Stories 03

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

Page 21

SURASUNDARI
The fisherman was aware of the fact that the king was the legal and natural owner of every best find in bis kingdom So he took Surasundari along with him and presented her to the king The king was puzzled at her beauty and sent her at once to the harem He had intention to make her the first queen
When the first queen saw her, she was not only jealous of her, but was apprehensive of her own future in the harem. So she talked to the lady with a view to ascertain her own intentions When she found that she was keen to go away, she made arrangements secretly to send her out of the palace
Surasundari was wondering if her ill-luck would ever end She felt that even death had become averse to her She reached a dense forest She moved forward She was very sad and was thinking about her misfortune How long was she to run about like a fugitive? As she was proceeding in this pensive mood, she had not noticed that a thief was already following her Now he came and stood before her. At first, he had thought of stealing her ornaments and letting her alone; but when he saw her, he changed his mind and desired her to be his wife She refused only begging his protection But the thief did not change his mind He rebuked her bitterly and even raised his sword to kill her Surasundari's only succour was the holy namiokar Strangely, the raised hands of the thief became stiff Despite all efforts, they did not bend The sword dropped from his hands This awakened his conscience, and he realised that the lady before him was no ordinary person He realised further that if he misbehaved towards such a person, he would be in great difficulty So he begged to be forgiven and let her go wherever she pleased
Again Surasundari continued ber journey After walking for quite sometime, she reached a pond The water of the