Jain Stories 03

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

Page 23

SURASUNDARI
13
Handcuffs were put on his hands and he was produced before a customs officer named Bimalababana.
Anarkumar became puzzled at this unforeseen trouble This was none of his own creation and yet he was produced as a criminal Who knew what lay ahead for him ? One day, he had cheated his wife and now he was repaid in his own coins by his own destiny Who knew where was Surasundari and in what state? Why at all did that mischief enter into his mind on that cursed day? All these thoughts were now killing him. At the same time the customs officer overloaded him with a volley of questions He tried his best to answer, but all was in vain Before the ready wit of Bimalabahana, Amarkumar could not stand He, however, fervently pleaded his innocence and prayed to be freed At first, Bimalababana did not agree, but at last, he set a condition "If you can rub three pounds of clarified butter on my shoes, then I let you go unscathed ”
Being the son of a wealthy merchant and himself a rich man, Amarkumar was never used to hard work But it was a desperate situation He rubbed hard for about three or four hours but not even half a pound of the clarified butter was used up Meanwhile, Bimalabahan's eyelids drooped and Amarkumar considered it wise to avail of this opportunity He held up the cup and began to drink from it swiftly Suddenly, Bimalabahada opened his eyes and caught him red-handed in this misdeed Amarkumar had nothing to say in his defence Pleading guilty he said,
“Sır! I am not used to this sort of work in my
So you can easily realise how I can do this"
life
Bimalabahana seemed to take some pity on him He said, "Merchant ! Will you tell me frankly who you are, wherefrom you have come, and why you wear such a sorrowful countenance" Without suppressing anything,