Jain Stories 03

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

Page 88

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JAINA STORIES
to spend a few days with him as his guest and thereafter, crowned with many laurels, he came back to his own city.
On Pavananjaya's return, there was a great rejoicing in the city. His parents, the king and the queen, received him and blessed him But when he made enquiries about Adjana, they started looking at each other's face. Pavadanjaya could easily guess that there had been something wrong about her duriog his absence, and he had a feeling that he might never meet her again.
The king bad now no alternative but to apprise him all about her The moment he heard the word 'exile', a pang of sorrow overtook him, in which faded away his joy of victory Pavananjaya rushed to Mahendrapur but even here the same story was repeated.
In the greatest despair, Pavananjaya moved out on an uncertain search of his dear wife. He searched all the forests he passed through, he searched even the smallest of caves he came across Now, he was physically exhausted and mentally worn He had only one resolve-to find out Anjana, or to lay down his life in her quest.
Acute love is the obverse of acute hatred Once, Pavananjaya had the acutest hatred for Anjana , but now he had the highest love for her Without her, life had no meaning for him
When the news of Pavananjaya's resolve reached the ears of his parents, they came all the way to dissuade him somehow from this resolve They promised him an all-out search for the lady if Pavananjaya would give but a month's time The prince gave a smile of despair and said,
"Do you think I haven't done my best to find her ? Had she been alive, I would surely have met her Then why do I make myself more miserable by waiting for a month !
The king--"Surely you have done your best , but since I am involved too, I must be given a chance to do what I can for tracing Anjana out. Wise people never do a thing in a hurry. Sometimes a goal is attained after many failures *
Pavananjaya could not disoblige his parents. He agreed.