Jain Stories 03

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

Page 52

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JAINA STORIES
bank of a tank. But Nala was nowhere Her patience was exhausted and she fell down in a swoon When she regained her senses, slie felt extremely restless, and was unable to bear the pangs of separation She was afraid too at this lonely place At last, helpless, she came back under the same tree where she lay at night and wept bitterly As she raised the border of her sari to wipe out her tears, she discovered the note tied in its corner The note read as follows
'Beside the yonder tree, there is a road that leads to your parents' home The other road to the left leads to Ajodhya Do not be anxious on my score At the proper time, I shall came back to you. Meanwhile, please forgive me for departing without informing you”.
On reading the message, Damayanti felt distressed. Thought she, 'He had often suggested that I should go to live with my parents, but on this point, I made no secret of my own feeling But now he has left me with no alternative Perhaps it would have been good for me to act according to his wishes But what was destined has come to pass
She got up, recited the holy namokar and took the road to her parental home On the way, she came across a merchant who was being plundered by a robber From a distance, Damayanti thundered at him and the fellow took to his heels This saved the merchant's life and his wares The merchant thanked her and begged to be advised if he could be of any help to her Damayanti thanked him and proceeded on her own way
As she passed through the forest, a dreary demon barred her way He was hungry for three days and was delighted to see his food so near at hand Said he,
“I shall satisfy my hunger with thy body"