Jain Stories 03

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

Page 31

MRIGASUNDARI
The fifth, Sriogarasundari, approved of her plan and expressed her desire to accompany her, but Mriga objected saying, "Let me try alone "If I fail, you will have your chance” The co-wives wished her good-luck Then she came to beg leave of her parents-in-law This, however, was no easy job, and the king and the queen were not willing to let her go like this But Mriga said,
"I know, sır, you are doing your best 10 the matter, but let me try a hand in it If I fail, my sisters will follow one after another."
The king had lo agree He wished her good luck and asked her to take as much money and as many men as she needed. She took some money but no men with her, and and then dressed like a yogini, she set out one day on her quest She passed through many villages and towns, crossed many rivers and forests and at last reached a city in the south oamed Virpur She proceeded straight to the city park and established contact with the lady garden-keeper The yogini placed two gold coins in her hand and there was no niggardliness in the flow of hospitality. She was allotted a room in the lady-keeper's house where she took residence. The yogini, as is usual with them, roamed in the city during the day and returned to her room in the evening One day, her land-lady said,
“My dear sister' Be careful A notorious yogr is on a visit to this city"
The yogini_“Why this warning, pray? A yogi is dedicated to do good to the world We should rather meet him and get inspiration from him
The lady-"What you say is normally true, but this one is an exception At a distance of several miles from this place, there is a monastery, where live many such yogis. They are all very honest people and are serious about their business. But recently the leader of the group has taken a