Jinamanjari 1998 09 No 18

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

Page 14

food for the caravan from a nearby place which he had encountered many times in his journey. Later, he returns with pails of rice and begins to serve to the people. It was poisoned food and all who had eaten become sick and unconscious. Then he rushes towards Agadadatta swinging his sword at him, but he was over powered by Agadadatta's strong sword hit. Laying on the ground, the mendicant cries out: “ I am not a mendicant but a robber named Dujjohaņa (Sk. Duryodhana). No one dared to outwit me. You indeed is brave. On the slope between the two rivers, there is a cavern where I have hid all my treasures. Perform my funeral rites and take all my treasures." Agadadatta carries out the rite, gathers the treasure and further proceeds towards Sankhapura. In the course of time, the caravan reaches Sankhapura. Hearing the arrival, Agadadatta's parents embrace him and welcome home their banished son, for the sinister now has turned out at last as a man of integrity and valour.
Once, the king announces the garden-festivity in which Agadadatta participates along with Madanamañjari. When the event comes to a close in the evening and Agadadatta is to get into his chariot, Madanamañjari is bitten by a snake and unconsciously collapses into his arms. While he begins to lament the seemingly sudden death of Madanamañjari, a pair of vidyādharas, a male and a female, appear enquiring about the situation. The male vidyādhara touches the unconscious body, and immediately Madanamañjart wakes up. Both bow to the vidyādharas, who after continue their journey leaving behind the couple. It has almost become dark and therefore they decide to go to the nearby temple.
There is no light in the temple, and in there, five brothers of slained Billaraja are hiuing expecting that they will get a chance to avenge their brother's death caused by Agadadatta. Not knowing the situation, Agadadatta telling Madanamañjari not to frighten of the darkness, goes to fetch some fire. Soon after, the Billa brothers light the temple when Madanamanjari sees the handsome youngest Billa brother. Infatuated by his handsomeness, she proposes to marry him. Although handsome Billa shows inclination to the proposal, he expresses the fear of her husband. Madanamañjari on the other hand confides that she would assassin her husband if he agrees to her proposal. In the meantime, Agadadatta returns with fire and notices light in the temple. When he enquires how there was light in the temple, Madanamañjari gives him a dubious answer: "It was the reflection of the fire in your hand." In order to light the place, Agadadatta removes his sword from the sheath and hands it to Madanamañjart and bends down to lit the light.
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