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

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Page 199
________________ 173 tions assembled. On that very day, as soon as an auspicious moment arrived, Dámannaka was married. * The ceremony was begun in which people's bodies don splendid raiment, and gleam with the rays of jewels, In which the bride and bridegroom despise sorrow, In which feet are immersed at the door in the dense mud of saffron, And in which women dance.' In the meanwhile Ságarapota entered the city. The people, who met him in the road, said: “You are lucky to obtain such a son-in-law.' Ságarapota said to hinself : * No doubt this rascal has married my daughter. When he got home, he saw his daughter, and Dámannaka with his body adorned with the wedding bracelet. He thought: 'Ab! I proposed this matter one way, and destiny has disposed it another. Now this man has become master of all the persons in my house, for women bear rule in the house of householders, and over the women the son-in-law bears rule. Moreover, it has been said : Of triads, three are pleasing, blossom, lamp-black, and vermilion ; Three others are pleasing, milk, son-in-law, and cymbal. I cannot bear to see this unbecoming sight; I shall more easily endure the widowhood of my daughter. Anyhow I will by all means kill him.' Having thus determined, he went to the quarter of the Chandálas, and said to Khangila : "You did not obey my orders.' He said : On that occasion, when I saw that he was a child, pity arose in my bosom; show me him now that I may kill him.' Ságarapota said: 'If it is so, then I will send that Dámannaka to-day to worship the protecting divinity of the city; then you must kill him.' Then he came home. When he reached his home, he said : ‘Have the bride and bridegroom observed the custom of our family or not?' They said: “It has been observed.' Then he made preparations for the worship of the goddess of the city. Then the bride and bridegroom set out to worship the goddess. As they were going along they were seen by Samudradatta, who was in the market, and he asked them : 'Where are you going at such a time of twilight, when the sun has gone to rest and the darkness is spreading abroad ?' Dámannaka Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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