Jain Stories 03

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

Page 90

5 NARMADA SUNDARI ?
In the city of Vardhamana there rcigned a kiog named Samprati. Sarthvaha Risabhasena lived in the same city. He had two sons, named Sahandeva and Viradasa and a daughter named Rishidaita by his wife Viramatí lo course of time. Rishidatta stepped into her youth Many suitors came from top business house-holds to seek her hand, but as none of them was a follower of the Jaina path, the Sarthayaha refused them all
Stresibi Rudradatta of Chandrapur once came to Vardhamana One day, as Radradatta was passing from beneath Rishabhasena's house, his eyes fell on Risbidatta who was seated at the window At opce, he felt a fascination for the young lady. He could go no furtber and was determined to have her His friend Kuveradatta who was with him saw this He made enquiries about the lady and told his friend that she belonged to an orthodox Jaina household and that she was the daughter of one Sarthavaha named Rishabhasena. He further informed his friend that till he was converted to Jainism, he stood no chance of getting the young lady
Rudradatta laughted at his young friend and said,
“Friend! You are not yet fully acquainted with my wit. This lady I must have at any cost, and for this I must use all stratagems You will see soon that I am successful in my project.”
The two friends went their respective ways Rudradatta came straight to the abode of the Jaina monks He established intimate contract with them, and read the fundamentals of Jainism. He picked up Jaipa practices too. All this he did not to become, a devout Jaipa but to get that beautiful lady to whom he had forfeited his heart. Soon his objective was realised Rishabhasena was very