Jain Stories 03

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

Page 93

NARMADA SUNDARI
83
"In a haughty mood, you have disrespected and defiled a monk. In consequence, in future, you will be separated from your husband
99
As these words reached the ears of Narmada Sundari, she was terror-stricken She looked below, and as she saw the monk, she started trembling in fear and anguish. At a hurried pace, she came down to make atonement for her 'fault She fell at the feet of the monk and begged to be forgiven. In a very normal tone, the monk said as follows:
"Lady! I have no malice or anger against you The words came out without any conscious effort. You need not take them seriously, nor feel any apprehension on their score"
So saying, the monk went his own way. Sundari came back to her apartment
Narmada
Premature display of expertise often becomes a source of agony. Once Mahesvaradatta set out on a voyage to distant lands. Narmada went out with him They were on board the ship seated in their cabin It was night time Somebody was singing a song at the next cabin Narmada Sundari was an expert in voice-reading and she desired to take this opportunity to apprise her husband of her special capacity. So she said,
"Sir I say that this is the voice of a man who is dark in complexion and lean in stature His bands and feet are thick and he has a large heart and a dark spot on the penes He is 22"
This was a shock for Mahesvaradatta who did not like the observation He paid no attention to what she said He was now thinking that a woman who kept information about the secret parts of a man's body must be a harlot He no more relished the company of her and was bent on getting rid of her as early as possible
In the morning, Mahesvaradatta made enquiries about this man and got a corroboration of everything spoken by Narmada Sundari. This confirmed his belief that she was a woman of a loose character. He felt very seriously that he