Jain Stories 03

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

Page 53

ILH-UA MATAWIT
She gave a bold
Damayanti was not afraid of him reply,
"I am not afraid of you nor sorry to know that you want me as your food But I am pretty alarmed on thy score It is not good to kill anyone and eat his flesh. This has a dire consequence You are yourself a deva and you understand it better than me who am an ordinary human being"
These words made a great impression on the demon. He now appeared in his real form as a deva and begged to be forgiven Damayanti told him about her own ul-luck and asked him when she will be reunited with her husband. The deya said,
"Your troubles will continue for 12 years, after which everything will be all right
The deva disappeared and Damayantı resumed her journey She came across many wild animals but none touched her Meanwhile the rainy season had started and it was difficult to continue the journey. So she took shelter in a cave and spent much of her time in meditation and pious thoughts Her presence in the forest changed even the nature of the wild animals Even some monks of heretical orders came to her for guidance and she set them all on the right track To all of them she was the Holy Mother
When the months of the rainy season were over, she moved out of the cave and commenced her journey again At last, she reached Achalapura where reigned King Rituparna His queen, Chandrayasa, was Damayanti's own maternal aunt Damayantı halted outside the city on the bank of a tank Now, some maid-servants from the palace had come there, and they were delighted to see such a graceful lady on the bank of the tank They reported the