Jain Stories 03

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

Page 30

JAINA STORIES
greatest tragedy for me, but I do not want you to share in it I wish you a good luck and a happy life'
But the princesses did not agree They said,
"Worthy sir! If our luck favours us, the prince will return some day If not, we shall engage ourselves in spiritual activities But we cannot accept another man for our husband."
They suggested that in the absence of the prince, the marriage ritual should be completed on the prince's sword. The king had to agree. The eight processes now entered their new household They preferred to stay together in one apartment and devoted themselves to spiritual activities
Days passed like this, and those were very lonesome days for the eight ladies who were virtually leading the life of muns. One day, as they sat together chattiog, said one,
"It is not wise on our part to sit idle like this We should do something in the matter"
The second-"Our father-in-law has left no stone unturned in the matter, and he has failed What then can we helpless women do?"
The third-“But we should not consider ourselves so very helpless We are also endowed with some capacity and endeavour. We may even make possible what appears impossible"
The fourth, Mrigasundarı, said,
"It is necessary that our perform.nce should excel our words. Then only our capacity and endeavour become worthy of praise If you all approve I want to move out from here in search of our husba d, and I am confident, I can trace him out in six months. If I fail, I shall enter into a burning flame”