Jain Stories 03

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

Page 87

ANJANA
75
“Noble lady !”, said the charioteer. "This road leads straight to Mahendrapur You may like to take this road "
The charioteer went away. Anjana and Vasantatılaka spent the night in the forest, and in the the morning, they took the road leading to Mahendrapur But when a woman has been turned out from her own home, she rarely gets a shelter in her parental home When King Mahendra heard the full story, he became extremely angry
"She has stained her own family line and now she comes to seek shelter with me! She should have been ashamed even to think of coming here”
Her own brother Prasnakırtı went a step further,
"A finger bitten by the spake must be amputated at once. It deserves no protection”
But the minister tried to argue :
"Your Majesty! A girl who is turned out from her father-in-law's house normally expects shelter with her own parents lo my humble opinion, Anjada should be received and sheltered, at least till the prince comes back Queen Ketumatı is well-known at mischief-making and should not be taken very seriously considering the girl's future, I urge, you change your mind”
But the kiog's mind was a closed chapter and the minister's words made no impression on him Justifying his stand, he said,
"Queen Ketumatı could have told a lie After all, it touched her own family. But it is well-known that Pavapadjaya had no relation with Anjana He never came to her even once during long 12 years And at the time of bis going out, he iosulted her in public How can it be that all on a sudden, he changed his mind and came to her apartment ? I am, therefore, sot prepared to listen to any argument on this point I cannot shelter a sinful creature. She may be turned out from where she is I do not want to see her face"