Jain Stories 03

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

Page 54

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JAINA STORIES
matter to the queen and she sent her men to take her to the palace At the palace, Damayantı gave the following account of herself,
"I was in the service of Queen Damayanti, the celebrated wife of King Nala When, due to the coming up of inauspicious karma, the royal couple was exiled, I have been dislodged from my position, and while wandering I have arrived here "
The queen was overwhelmed to hear Damayanti's name. There were tears in her eyes The remembrance of her ill-luck even gave her pain She employed the lady in her own service Ever since she left the palace, Damayanti had changed so much that even her aunt could not recognise her Damayantı stayed there She took charge of the king's alms-house where hundreds of people arrived every day. She carefully observed all new comers and enquired about them She had a feeling that perhaps in this manner someday she might hit on a clue about Nala's whereabouts
trace
After Nala and Damayanti had gone into exile the news reached King Bhima who was very much shocked He sent messengers in all directions but none could them out But the king did not give up the search One of his messengers reched Achalapura. where the king and the queen were no less concerned to know the whereabouts of Nal and his wife. But they told the messenger that a lady had recently joined their royal household who, as per her statement, was once in the service of Queen Damayanti and this lady might be able to throw further light on Danzanti
"So if you so please, you may see her in the almshouse', they added
The messenger came to the alms-house and recognised Damayanti at once As the news reached the palace, the