Jain Stories 03

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

Page 46

3 i
JAINA STORIES
of state-craft, but he had a passion for gambliog and because of this, many of us good qualities were over-shadowed Kuvara hnew it well and he decided to ruin him by challenging him at dice One day, as both the brothers were at the game, Kuvara said
"Brother! This game without a stakc does not give the real pleasure"
Nala was so much absorbed that he did not consider what this would lead bim to and he went on staking his towns and villages one after another, and at last his own city He lost his all within a short time, and was reduced to complete pepury
As Nala's stars went down, Kuvara's stars moi ed up. He burst out into a wild laughter at this unexpected success of his stratagem Nala now realised where hic stood and he was pepitent But it was too late Kuvara at once issued an announcement of his immediate accession to the throne and of Nala's eule People were very much pained and distressed as they heard this
Nala then decided to have a confrontation with his destiny. He came to Damayanti and apprised her of the situation, This was a great shock for her But as a devoted wife, she at once made up her mind to follow her busband She said,
“My dear! This kingdom no longer belongs to us We must leave this place at once. All these now belong to Kuvara"
Nala-"I have decided to go to the forest, but you better go to your parental home Life in the forest will be extremely hard for you When our time will improve, we shall meet again”.
Damayantı"You will be in the forest and I shall be in my parental home A nice idea indeed! But how do you think this to be possible ? I shall follow you like a shadow wherever you go. I cannot live apart"