Jain Stories 03

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

Page 69

MRIGANKALEKHA
There she attracted the notice of a harlot named Kamasena She brought with her some wicked persons, came to the place where Mrigankaleklia was and forcibly carried her away to her own residence. Kamasena wanted to use her for her own purpose and tried to hold up the best inducements before the lady But it was no easy job to entrap Mrigaokalekha Th same night, Kamasena died Kamasena's maid desired Mrigankalekha to take the place of her deceased mistress, but the request was made to a very wrong person
But fresh trouble was in store for Mrigankalekha The maid carried the story of the arrival of a very fine lady to the ears of the king. The king at once sent his most able men and they forcibly carried the lady in a palanquin with a view to take her to the king's harem Mid-way she jumped down from the palanquin and began to dance and tear her clothes like a mad person She abused people, hurled stones at them and often burst out in peels of laughter. She was brought back to the harlot's home and experts were called in to cure her But she hurled stones even at them and did not allow anyone to come near her The king then sent Kapakbahu, his own trusted body-guardn, who was also an expert in the use of charms, to find out her real trouble Kanakbahu propitiated the goddess Jwala, the attendant goddess of Arhat Chandraprabha, who make the following revelation about the lady
"She is neither mad nor ill She is the most devoted wife of Sagarchandra, the minister of King Avantisena and is a great devotee of the Jaina path It is her inauspicious karma that has brought her here it is to protect herself that she behaves like a mad person You adore and worship this pious lady like your family deity That will bring you good Otherwise you will invite your own ruin »
Kanakbahu gave a complete report about her to the hing The kiog now honoured the lady and made