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

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Page 243
________________ 217 your sorrows; pardon my fault in not recognising you. Moreover, what has become of the mark on your brow from which so much brilliancy shot forth ?' Then Chandrayaças rubbed Davadantí's forehead with the moisture of her mouth, and the mark on her brow stood out in all its brilliancy, like the sun emerging from clouds, like a lump of gold withdrawn from the fire. Then Chandrayaças gave Davadantí a bath with her own hands, and clothed her in splendid garments, and brought her to the king. The two, Chandrayaças and Davadantí, sat down with the King. Now, it happened that exactly at this time the sun set. The circle of the sky was filled with darkness, as a vessel with lampblack. But nevertheless the darkness did not penetrate into the palace. Then the king said: 'Surely the sun has set, and there is no lamp in this palace; so why is there illumination here ?' Then Davadantí pointed out the mark on her forehead to Queen Chandrayaças. Then the king, out of curiosity, covered the mark with his hand, and the king's palace became as full of darkness as a mountain cave. The king, withdrawing his hand, asked Davadantí the story of her losing the throne, and of her other troubles. Then Davadantí, weeping, with downcast face, told the whole story of their losing the throne and subsequent troubles. The king wiped her eyes with his own outer garment, and said: 'My dear child, do not weep. Fortune prevails even against gods and Asuras.' At this moment an immortal, bright as the rays of the sun, entered the palace, and, joining his hands in an attitude of supplication, said to Davadantí: I, being a thief, by name Pingala, went by your order, and took upon me. the observance of vows, and, roaming about, went to Tápasapura. There I remained in the cemetery in the statuesque posture, being burned with the fire of the funeral-pyres, meditating on religion, remembering the formula of the five chiefs of the faith, reprobating my former sins; and so I died and became a god. As by limited knowledge I perceived my former life, I came here to visit you, since you benefited me by saving my life, and inducing me to Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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