Jain Story Book

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 69

Manoramä. She was very lovely and faithful to Sudarshan. By that marriage, the couple had got six sons who were very smart and were handsome and attractive like Sudarshan. Both the parents were happy with the boys and raised them with loving care and attention.
Sudarshan was also very straightforward, honest in dealings and scrupulously observed the moral code of conduct. Every one praised him for his virtues and for strictly observing the restraints. Even the king respected him for his honesty and straightforwardness. By all counts, Sudarshan was thus a happy man. He always remained contented with what he had obtained and never thought of gaining anything inordinately or by foul means.
Sudarshan had a close friend named Kapil who was always associated with him in the religious activities. Both of them once remained occupied in some religious performance longer than ever and reached home very late. Kapilä, the wife of Kapil asked her husband for the reason of coming home so late. While explaining to her the ritual that they were performing, kapil showered all praises for the religious fervor of Sudarshan. He also narrated his wealth, youthfulness etc. and spoke highly about his handsomeness. On hearing that Kapilä got enamored of Sudarshan. Once, while Kapil was away, she called Sudarshan to her home on the pretext of her husband's illness. She was pleased to see that Sudarshan was far more handsome and attractive than she had thought. Smart and easy going as she was, she invited him to make love to her. Sudarshan however declined to accept it and reproached her for calling him on a false excuse. Kapilä felt insulted by his turning down of her offer. She thought that Sudarshan was too proud of his wealth and status. She took it as his arrogance and decided to teach him a lesson.
She was a favorite maid of queen Abhaya and knew that the latter was discontented with the king. She was also aware that the queen did not care much for the character and looked elsewhere with lustful eyes. Once, while the queen was talking about her dissatisfaction, Kapilä told her about the handsome, youthful and highly attractive Sudarshan. Abhayä therefore developed a longing for getting him. Once she was sitting in the balcony of the royal palace along with Kapilä. That very time, Sudarshan happened to pass by. Kapilä noticed him and drew the attention of the queen towards him. Abhaya was struck by his handsome and youthful appearance. She could see that he was far more attractive than she had thought. His attractiveness caught her fancy and she decided to seek his love. She asked Kapilä to manage to bring him to the palace immediately. Kapilä ran after him and said that Her Majesty, the queen, had called him for some work.
Sudarshan turned back and followed Kapilä towards the palace. As he approached the queen, he gently bowed to her and humbly asked what he could do for her. Abhayä said that she had a secret assignment that she could entrust only to an honest man like Sudarshan. He replied that it would be a privilege for him to be of service to Her Majesty. Abhaya then asked him to follow her for talking in privacy. Sudarshan had no reason to doubt her intention and followed in all innocence. Abhaya led him to her highly decorated bed room. Sudarshan felt a little embarrassed to enter the bed room. But as Abhayä сalled him inside, the unsuspecting Sudarshan went in and stood in her presence.
In order to create some confidence, Abhayä first talked to him about the problems that the king had with her parents and sought his advice. While talking, she deliberately slipped her Saree from the shoulder so as to display her beautiful and attractive figure. This however did not have any impact on Sudarshan. Then she allowed her ring to slip from her finger and as if for picking it up, she bent down in a way that could exhibit the delicate parts of her body. Since that too failed to attract the attention of Sudarshan, she cast aside all feminine limitations and said that she was not satisfied with her husband and was looking for a man like Sudarshan. She then shamelessly invited him to make love with her.
Sudarshan could now make out the awkward position that he had been in. He humbly said that being a subject of His Majesty's kingdom, he was like a son of Her Majesty and highly respected