Jaina Literature in Tamil

Author(s): A Chakravarti, K V Ramesh
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

Page 98

JAINA LITERATURE IN TAMIL
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celebrated the regular formal marriage. Thus ends the third chapter of the marriage of Gāndharvadattā.
4. Gunamalaiyar - ilambakam—On another day during the vasanta festival, the youth of the city went to the adjoining park for play and enjoyment. Among these were two young ladies Suramañjarī and Guņamālā. Between them there arose a discussion as to the quality of the fragrant powder used for the purpose of bathing. Each claimed that her powder was superior. The matter was referred to the wise youth Jivaka, who gave a verdict in favour of Guņamālā. Hearing the decision Suramañjarī was sorrow-struck and decided to shut herself up in the kanyāmāļa with a vow that she would never see a male's face, till this very Jīvaka would come begging for her hand in marriage. While Suramañjarī desisted from taking part in the vasanta festival, Guņamālā, encouraged by the verdict in her favour, went out to enjoy the festival. Jivaka himself on his way observed a dog beaten to death by some brāhmaṇas whose food was touched by this poor dog. When he saw the dying dog, he tried to help the poor creature and whispered to him the pañca-namaskāra with the hope that it would help the creature to have a better future. Accordingly the animal was born in dēvaloka as a dēva called Sudañjaņa. This Sudañjaņadeva immediately appeared before Jivaka to express his sense of gratitude and was willing to serve him. But Jivaka sent him back with the instruction that he would send for him whenever he was in need. While he thus dismissed the dēva, he witnessed a terrible scene. The king's elephant escaped from its place and imme