Jain Stories 03

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

Page 92

JAINA STORIES
Mabesvaradatta lost no time. He came at once to the house of his maternal uncle Sahadeva and settled with him to help him in his business Soop he won his heart 10 every work, he took the lead and accomplished it with success Sahadeva had now a great affection for his sister's son Mahesyaradatta was an intelligent man. He did not forget establishing contact with Jaina monks and picking up the Jaina practices Soon he was conversant with them and was regularly practising them This was an additional reason for his becoming a great favourite with his uncle who had never ap 10kling of doubt in the honesty and sincerity of the young man This helped him in making the final decision about Narmada Sundari whom he bestowed on Mahesvaradatta as his wife Thus the young man's promise to his mother was fulfilled. He spent a little more time with his new father-in-law and then in the company of his wife, he came back home.
Narmada Sundari was now settled in her new home. Nothing was wanting there-neither wealth nor status, but still she did not feel happy For, she could not reconcile with the atmosphere of the household wherein everyone was averse to the Jaina path. Even Mahesvaradatta proved to be no exception to this. She felt that she had been deceived. But her mind revolted at the idea of submitting to the new situation Yet she was not rude nor harsh to anyone. She thought of gathering courage and improving her own position. She was loved by everybody in the household. So very softly she started discussion on the fundamentals of Jainism with other members of the family whenever she got a chance, and in this manner, she sought to establish the superiority of the Jaina tenets in a pursuasive manner. Soon the members of the family were convinced by her logic and became converted to the Jaina way.
One day, Narmada Sundari was standing at her windovy in a mood of absent-mindedness She was chewing pan Suddenly, she dropped her saliva mixed with pan juice Just at that time, a nirgrantha mook was on the highway bencath the window. The saliva fell on his head This caused irritation to the monk who said,