Jain Stories 03

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

Page 98

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JAINA STORIES
her hospitality. With the ring in her hand, Harini's plan got its wings.
Elsen here, Narmada Sundari was looking into her own future She was hopeful that the days of her misery were nearing their end. But she did not know that destlay was preparing fresh snares for her. As Virdasa moved out from Harini's home, she commisioned her maid to go to Narmada at once with Virdasa's ring, show it to her, and briog her at once to her abode The maid acted as per the order of her mistress. She showed the ring to Narmada and asked her to come at once with her.
Narmada had no reason to doubt any conspiracy after she had seen the ring. So she came to Haripi's house Harini was pleased to see her. Her plan bad acted so easily Narmada was at once conducted to an underground chamber where she was confined Harini was now building castles in the air about her own future prosperity
When Virdasa returned home, he did not find Narmada there He became anxious and searched all the corners of the house But the situation did not improve At once, he rememberсd that he had given his ring to the harlot Now, he had no doubt that she was at the root of the whole mischief So at a hurried pace, he arrived at her house. But Haridi flatly denied any knowledge of her So Virdasa came away exceedingly disappointed Having failed to recover her, he left the place in shame and disgust
Meann bile, Harini tried her best to induce Narmada to 2010 with her in her profession. Narmada flatly refused First inducements were offered and then lashes. But Narmada would not yield. Unfortunately Harini died the same day. As the report of her death spread through the city, people had no doubt that tbis was the outcome of Harini's behaviour towards the newly arrived woman They had no doubt that this woman was very chaste and the city-folks now held her 10 the highest esteem At Haridi's death, Narmada won back her freedom But as she had nowhere else to go, she continued living in the same house