Jain Story Book

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 29

the presence of that auspicious young man. He therefore decided to invite Shrenik to come to his home for lunch.
Shrenik was hungry. He therefore gladly accepted the invitation. At lunch, Bhadra, who was much impressed by the personality of Shrenik, enquired about his name and whereabouts. Shrenik did not want to declare that he was the son of king of Magadha. He therefore politely declined to disclose his identity, but he did indicate that he was looking for some responsible work. Bhadra was very pleased with Shrenik's politeness and good manners. He had no sons and he was getting old. As such, he was badly in need of a smart and reliable person to help him in his business. In Shrenik, he saw his hope for reviving his business and reputation. He therefore invited him to join his business and to stay with him. Shrenik accepted his offer and undertook the task of expanding the business. He had a special knack to please the customers. Very soon he took over all the aspects of business. After his taking over, the business grew by leaps and bounds and in no time Bhadra became a well known entity of Benätat.
Bhadra had only a daughter whose name was Nandä. She was very beautiful and graceful. She was impressed with Shrenik from the day she saw him. In due course she developed love for him. Bhadra too was anxiously looking for a match for her. He was very happy with Shrenik whose qualities, personality and good manners left no doubt in his mind that the young man must have been from a very noble family. He therefore considered Shrenik to be a suitable match for his beloved daughter. He consulted his wife who had also formed the same opinion for Shrenik. When Nandä therefore expressed her love for Shrenik, her parents were more than willing to satisfy her desire. When the offer of marriage was put before Shrenik, he said that they knew nothing about himself and asked how advisable would it be to give their only daughter to a stranger? Bhadra replied that his high qualities and good manners had convinced him that Shrenik must have been from a very noble family. He had therefore no hesitation in offering his daughter to him. Shrenik too was enamoured of Nanda's beauty and grace. As a result of Bhadra's persuasion, he therefore agreed to accept the offer. Shortly afterwards, Shrenik and Nandä got married with fanfare befitting the status of a wealthy businessman.
After a while Nandä got pregnant. During that time it so happened that the king Prasenjit got very ill and did not expect to survive. He sent his messengers all around to find Shrenik. One of them came to Benätat and found out Shrenik. The messenger informed him about the precarious condition of his father and said that the king was on the death bed and was anxiously waiting for his return to Räjgruhi. Shrenik had to face a dilemma. On one side his father was on the death bed and on the other side his beloved wife was pregnant. Shrenik ultimately decided that he should at least see his father before he died. He did not know at that time that his father had selected him to be the heir to his kingdom. He therefore told his in-laws that his father being on the death bed, he had to go urgently. To Nandä he gave a coded identity which stated that he was the herdsman of Räjgruhi. Then he left along with the messenger. As he reached Räjgruhi, he was given a warm welcome that he had never anticipated. Soon after that he was crowned and was proclaimed the king of Magadha. In history he is known as King Bimbisar. Prasenjit died shortly after the coronation leaving the entire burden of the kingdom on the new king. Shrenik remained so preoccupied in his new assignment that he almost forgot all about Nandä.
While she was pregnant, Nandä got an irresistible urge to ride an elephant and to extend safety and security for every being. Thereupon her father arranged for a procession wherein Nandä rode an elephant and gave generous donations to all the people who were in need. In due course she gave birth to a very handsome, bright son. True to her urge during pregnancy he was named Abhaya, meaning bestower of safety and security. From the childhood the boy showed signs of exceptional ability and intelligence. At the age of 8 he could master all the arts. At school there was no match for him. He could beat even grown up men in intelligence. Once while he was playing with his friends, some boy, who was jealous of his brightness, picked up quarrel with him and called him fatherless. Abhaya was annoyed to hear it. Coming home he asked his mother about his father. Nandä was hesitating to tell him about his father who had forsaken her so long