Jain Story Book

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 63

wealth to live comfortably without undertaking any more burglary. For some time Räjgruhi remained free from the terror of Chilätiputra.
Once while moving in disguise, Chilätiputra happened to see Sushama who was now highly attractive grown up girl. He revived his affection for her and got an intense desire to get her. He knew that Dhanadatta's house was well protected and it was not easy to abduct Sushamä. From the heart of his heart he however craved for her and realized that it was no longer possible for him to live without Sushamä. He then called his colleagues and said that he wanted to raid the home of Dhanadatta. The colleagues were amazed to hear that. They could not make out why he was thinking to undertake such risky project. Did he still covet additional wealth?. Chilätiputra explained that he did not need any more wealth. He merely wanted Sushamä and during the raid his colleagues were at liberty to grab anything that they liked from Dhanadatta's home. He would then disband them forever and with the wealth that they could grab, they could easily live happily and comfortably ever after. Every one knew about the immense wealth of Dhanadatta. The proposal was therefore attractive enough and all the colleagues agreed to be by his side.
One midnight when every one was asleep, the burglars raided the home of Dhanadatta. The guards of the house were however taken unaware and the burglars could easily overpower them. Chilätiputra went straight in search of Sushama's room. Other raiders proceeded towards the treasury room grabbing gold, jewelry and other valuables. Chilätiputra easily located where Sushama was sleeping. As he lifted her with both the hands, Sushamä got awake and being scared gave a shrill cry. Chilätiputra however tied a cloth round her mouth and taking her on his shoulder he left the home. Observing that the chief had succeeded in gaining his target, other raiders too started eloping with whatever precious material that they could lay hands upon.
Meanwhile Dhanadatta and his sons were awake by the clamor of the guards. As they heard the cry of Sushamä, they could make out that she was in danger. They rushed to her room and noticed Chilätiputra running away with Sushamä. They could also see other burglars getting away with valuables. Ignoring the others, Dhanadatta and his sons pursued Chilätiputra. The city guards, who had arrived by that time, also pursued the raiders. Chilätiputra was running fast but he had to run with the weight of Sushamä on his shoulder. He could easily cross the city limit and proceeded towards his forest abode. Dhanadatta and others were however pursuing him relentlessly. After a little, Chilätiputra came within the pursuers' range. He could see that it was not possible for him to escape along with Sushamä. He very well knew that if he could leave Sushamä there, his pursuers would not hunt after him. But how could he leave Sushamä to the others? In desperation he cut the throat of Sushamä and leaving the dead body behind, he quickly eloped from the scene.
Dhanadatta and his sons arrived at the place where Sushama was lying dead. They realized the futility of pursuing Chilätiputra. Here was lying the body of their darling Sushama with the blood still flowing from her body. It was a ghastly scene. With all their efforts they could not prevent the miserable end of the girl. But what else could they do apart from crying and mourning with a heavy heart?
Chilätiputra could escape from the clutches of pursuers. His heart was however torn. He had almost successfully fled away with the girl whom he had so passionately longed for. And in the very hour of his success he had to mercilessly cut her throat! Can there be anything more terrible? He looked at his body and clothes stained with the blood of his darling!. What had nature destined for him? he asked himself. He could not visualize any purpose of his life. Intense remorse had overtaken him. He could not make out what to do. All of a sudden he chanced to see a saint who was meditating in a lonely place. He narrated the entire story to the saint and prayed for the atonement of his sin. Uttering merely the three words of Upashama, Vivek and Samvar, the saint disappeared.