Book Title: Kathakoca or Treasury of Stories
Author(s): C H Tawney
Publisher: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation New Delhi

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Page 107
________________ 81 seized him; then in his delirium he filled a bed with that wealth, and put another bed on top of it and so slept. He did not abandon his bed at the moment of death, though everyone abandoned him. So he died on that very bed, and was carried on it to the cemetery. Then the keeper of the cemetery brought the bed to the cross-road, to sell it, but no one would buy it. However, Dhanya, owing to the luck that attended him, had the sense to buy it, and then he made it over to his parents. He took out the pegs of the bed and extracted from it the jewels; so their treasure, already great, was increased. Then all the four brothers took counsel to kill Dhanya. But the wife of one of the brothers overheard their deliberations, and, being filled with compassion, told Dhanya. Then Dhanya said to himself: ‘Alas! these brothers are jealous of me; and yet I have done them no injury, so why are they angry with me? Anyhow, I cannot remain here.' After going through these reflections he went out of the city alone, and wandered about on the earth. One day a householder saw him in a field near the road, and was delighted with him, thinking him a man of distinction. So he invited him to dinner, and told his wife to give him a pudding of choice rice. While Dhanya was eating his food, the householder, driving his plough, came on a jar full of dináras. Then the householder thought: This piece of luck is due to the power of this man.' So he placed the jar in front of him, saying: 'It is thanks to your merit that I have obtained this treasure, so do you take it.' But Dhanya said : 'Take it yourself.' Then, leaving that place, he came in course of time to Rájagriha. There he rested in a garden outside the city under a fragrant mangotree. Then he was seen by the gardener, named Kusumapála. He said to himself : 'Here is a most distinguished man,' and in his delight he carried him off to his own house, and he and his family treated him with the highest consideration, and Dhanya lived there in the utmost comfort. Now, at this time King Creņika was reigning in that city. One day his queen consort, Dháriņí by name, Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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