Jain Stories 03

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

Page 47

NALA-DAMAYANTI
Nala was in a difficult situation In taking her to the forest, he would cause her the greatest inconvenience, and yet it would be no easy job to leave her behind In a resigned mood, he said,
"Damayantı! Good girl, I wish you accept my proposal Otherwise, you do whatever you think best"
Damayantı-"But, pray, tell me, are you better used to live in the forest than me? Let me share in your joys and sorrows Please make no suggestion about my staying
apart"
Nala could no longer leave her behind Both of them put on very ordinary clothes and moved towards the forest People came to see off their monarch with tears in their eyes. Nala's parting message to his people was
“Be as good to Kuvara as you have been to me Never transgress his orders or act contrary to his wishes Entertain no anxienty on my score Wherever I may be, I shall remain as happy as I have ever been When the duration of my exile will be over, I shall come back again"
Nala and Damayanti now moved on They had neither. transport not attendants with them They moved on till evening, with their legs badly hurt by pebbles and thoras. When the sun was down, they sat down under a tree Nala prepared a bed of green leaves Damayantı lay down on it and was soon fast asleep Nala sat awake pondering over his ill-luck
Suppressed thoughts come up often at the slightest support, and then not only a man may get lost in them, be may even perpetrate very unusual things As Damayantı lay asleep, Nala touched her wounded feet and was deeply aggrieved He said to himself,
"I have reasoned with her in all possible ways, but she did not agree If she had agreed to live with her parents, she could have escaped these hard experiences But she