Jaina Method Of Curing

Author(s): Manju Jain
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 95

'don't forget your royal duties listening to the new bride's melodious singing in the tone of the great Tansen.
The marriage procession arrived with much pomp and glory. After all Ratnashekhar was the only son of the king. The melodious sounds of the band peruaded the entire city. Dancers were entertaining the bridegroom's side. The marriage ceremony was celebrated with much gaiety and happiness. Before the sacred fire and the entire society the Prince accepted her as his wife. The marriage party returned home.
At night Ratnashekhar removed the veil of the bride Madan Sundari expecting her to be a celestial beauty. Just as a blind person is wrongly named Nayansukh or a beggar Dhanpati or a coward Shersingh, the new bride Madan Sundari was extremely ugly with brown short hair, a flat nose, protruding teeth, fat waist, with marks of leprosy on her body and suffering from asthma and cough. The Prince was shocked. All his dreams about his future life were shattered. But he said "Devi I accepted you, as my wife before the sacred fire therefore inspite of your form, I'll remain your wellwisher through out life. I'll treat your physical. Sufferings as mine, and shall try to remove them." At this Madan Sundari said in a very thick and broken voice, "Lord! I am suffering from leprosy, more over Cough and asthma make me miserable". Listening to her painful voice he could no more remain on his bed and he went out of his kingdom to a place where Digambar minishre Dharmsen was residing with his disciples. Ratnashekhar took his refuge there and became engrossed in meditation and religious study. As directed by the munishree he started reciting the Bhaktamar Stotra daily with utmost devotion. One day Prince Ratnashekhar was reciting the 32nd and 33rd shlokas (gambhirtarakh purit digivibhag) and (mandarsundaranmeru supari jat") of the Bhaktamar stotra with great concentration in a very sweet voice when Jin devi Padmavati appeared to him and said. Son your age is not fit to do austere penance. Your father has fallen ill eagerly remembering you and waiting for you and your learned wife Madan Sundari is looking after him." The Prince became curious about his wife and asked, "devi! How is Madan Sundari's health now ?" Padmavati said 'Son! When two days back you were reciting the Bhaktamar stotra without break (constantly) then only her leprosy afflicted body has transformed into divine body." Saying so the devi disappeared (Vanished). The Princess heart was full of joy he prostrated at the feet of munishree, took his blessings and left for his palace. His father was overjoyed to see him as if his (father's) life was restored to him Ratnashekhar's learned wife fell at hisfeet and washed them with her tears of joy.
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