Jain Stories 03

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

Page 68

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JAINA STORIES
bestowed on him a son He already held 19 men for the purpose v hen Mrigankalekha fell into his hands, and uncon-cerned about her sex, Sundara wanted to use her for his own purpose All the 20 persoas were now brought to the spot selected for the sacrifice and they were given leave to express their last desire on earth
All the 19 started trembling when they came to know the purpose for which they had been brought only Mrigankalekha remained firm and fearless and said,
"Noble man! My last desire is that you make me the first prey of your purpose. I cannot bear the ghastly sight. of the murder of so many innocent persons in my presence. So let me get out of this world first. If however, you care for my opinion, I must say, it is really cruel to make such an offer for the propitiation of the goddess You are the T llage headman and as such the protector of the village. You should at least desist from such a cruel deed "
A man is often a blind slave to social conventions; but if he is hit on the right spot at the right moment, he may even be saved and be made to take a turn Mriganhalekha's words served that purpose. Sundara was promisebound to fulfil the last desire of these unfortunate people, and Mir gankalekha had expressed such a desire Now, if he sacrified a woman first, then as per convention the sacrifice of men was a taboo. So he did not know what to do The only way out was to sacrifice none This saved the Ines of all
Mrigaakalekh somehow escaped from there and wasonce again in the forest She came across a lion but the lion did not touch her She came across a ghost but the ghost could do no harm to her. She spent the night bencath a trec In the morning, she started again and. reached the outskirts of Siddarthapur