Jain Stories 03

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

Page 33

MRIGASUNDARI
23
married with Prince Madan of Mrigapur. As I was going with my husband, we were attacked by a band of robbers My husband was killed in the encounter. The robbers took away the valuables but did me no harm I returned to my parental home"
Continuing her account, she said,
One day
"The robbers spared me but not my ill luck I was bitten by a snake All efforts to take the venom out failed and I lay senseless Just then a yogini came and said to my father. "If you agree to give this girl to me, I shall rid her of the poison.' If my father did not agree, death would be a certainty for me In going with the vogini, I would at least have my life saved So he agreed The yogini took out a root from her bag and administered it on my wound. A portion of the same root was crushed and mixed with water and this I was made to drink This saved me, and I followed the yogini. Now, as you see, I am settled and happy in this life But, sister, happiness does not remain undisturbed for long, and a few weeks ago, the yogini has passed away leaving me alone. There is another monastery not at a very great distance from here and that is occupied by a few yogis. The monastery is very old and well-known Many great yogis have lived there. But now all of them are dead and the headship of the monastery has passed into the hands of a rogue Religion and spirituality are his least interest, his main pre-occupation being to carry away beautiful women He was after me once but could do nothing because of the superior power of my preceptress But as she has passed away, I was feeling somewhat lonely. Just at this time, your arrival has been a source of solace and strength to me This, in brief, is my story But what is it that has brought you to this line at this early age ""
Mriga started her account,
"I am Padmashri, the daughter of a merchant named Padmadeva of Palaspur. I was married with another merchant of the same city. His name was Sundara I was