Kumarpal and Hemchandracharya Diwakar Chitrakatha 041

Author(s): Nityanandsuri, Chidanandmuni, Shreechand Surana
Publisher: Mahavir Seva Trust Mumbai

Page 11

SOCIAL REFORMS
KING KUMARPAL AND HEM-CHANDRACHARYA In those days an old custom prevailed in Gujarat. In absence of a male heir all the wealth of a family was taken by the state on death of the head of that family. As a result condition of women in such families became miserable. They had to do manual labour or beg for their living. This custom was called Rudati Vitta (wealth of the weeping woman). One night Kumarpal was returning after paying homage The king was filled with sorrow and gloom. to Acharyashri when, outside a mansion, he heard
Why goad a wound? wailing of a women. The king stopped in his tracks.
The woman has become a
widow and the king adds to the Minister, who weeps
misery by snatching all in this house ?
her wealth.
Sire, yesterday a billionaire has died without
a heir. According to the law, tomorrow the state will confiscate all his wealth. Tormented by this misery the helpless widow of
the merchant is weeping.
M
Kumarpal entered the mansion and consoledl Taken aback, the woman asked
her maidthe woman
Sister, please stop
Malti ! Who was he ? crying. Justice will be done to you. Take this
Let me see the ring. ring and show it to the visiting state officer. You will have no
problems.
AAAA
Oh ! This is the state seal. It seems that he was King Kumarpal himself!
And Kumarpal left the mansion.