Jain Stories 03

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

Page 97

87
NARMADA SUNDARI
Slowly she got up and moved to settle on the island waiting for a chance to move out from there. She created a thatch for her stay, and devoted her entire time to spiritual practices She lived on in this manner in the company of wild animals depending on the fruits of the forest. One day, as Narmada Sundarı stood on the beach, a few ships arrived there and cast anchor And who did alight from the ship but her own uncle Virdasa who was on his way to Babbarkul. He recognised Narmada at once and proceeded towards her He consoled her with affectionate about her story. Narmada tried her but tears shot forth through her gave an account of all that bad Virdasa was shocked He consoled her as best as he could, took her with him in the ship and moved farther on.
1
words, and asked her best to master patience, eyes In that state, she happened to her
He
Virdasa reached Babbarkul and called on the king permission to trade Narmada was with
gave many gifts to the king and obtained So Virdasa settled there for some time
him
Now, in the same city, there lived a fallen woman named Harini She was the foremost woman of the city in beauty and stratagem The king was very favourably disposed towards her As per authority bestowed on her by the king, she was entitled to a payment of one thousand gold coins from all incoming foreign merchants When she came to know of Virdasa's arrival to the city, she sent her maid to him asking for the aforesaid amount The maid arrived at Virdasa's residence There she saw Narmada Sundari and was charmed at her grace She went back at a quick pace and reported about Narmada to her own mistress Harini was now almost mad and determined to get her This would open a great prospect of money-making for her.
As she sat batching a plan for this arrived to her house to make the payment. chance for Harini She cast her spell on time to overpower him Harini managed to him with his name imprinted on it This was a gift for
get a ring from
purpose, Virdasa
This was a good him and took no