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

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Page 224
________________ 198 acted in an unseemly fashion in choosing you; therefore give her up, or prepare to fight.' Nala answered : Vilest of men, are you in any way injured in not having been chosen by Davadantí ? So, as you have left the path of virtue, you must be disciplined by me.' So Nala drew his sword, and the fire of wrath blazed up in him. Then the troops of both of them prepared for battle. Davadantí said to herself: 'Alas! I am unfortunate, since this calamity has arisen for my sake ; so, if I am devoted to the divine Arhat, let Nala be victorious, 0 goddess, that dost execute the orders of the Jina, or let the battle cease!' When she had said this, she took a pitcher full of water, and threw three jets of water. When King Krishṇa felt that water touch his body, he lost his fierceness. Then King Krishņa, being freed from anger, said to himself : * Alas! I have done what is unbecoming; this is not an ordinary man, so it is fitting that I should propitiate him;' then he inclined himself before Nala, and obtained his pardon. Nala conversed with King Krishņa, and then dismissed him. Then King Bhimaratha, observing the might of Nala, was astonished, and celebrated his marriage with great pomp; he gave Prince Nala elephants, horses, jewels, ornaments, dresses, and other gifts. Having thus remained there some days after his marriage, Nala set out again for his own city. When Davadantí was starting with her husband, her mother spoke thus to her : My daughter, say what is pleasant, act humbly, avoid reproach of others; As long as you are in the body, do not desert your husband, even in calamity; Even when you attain prosperity, do not indulge a thought of pride, even in a dream; Preserve also your chastity stainless, even at the cost of your life.' Davadantí welcomed this instruction from her mother, and set out, after bowing before her parents. Nala put her in the chariot, and took her in his lap; and then, as Nala marched along, obscuring the circle of the heaven with the dust of the earth flung up by his horses and soldiers, the sun set in the intermediate space, and the Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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