________________
tively secure from the lion.
The judge had been waiting for several hours atop the wall and wondering if the lion would ever appear, when suddenly, about 3 A. M., in the dead of the morning, a horn blew in the distance and then another and another. Out of the darkness, amid the playing of horn music, string instruments and bells, a procession of people appeared, carrying torches and dressed in very ancient costumes. Among them was a prince-judging from his bearing, clothing and central position in the procession - followed by many beautiful women dressed royally. For one entire hour, the judge sat in amazement, hypnotized by this throng of people who were playing music, dancing, singing and chanting. And as suddenly as the procession of people had appeared, it disappeared and the judge was none the wiser.
The next day the judge asked the villagers about the ruins, hoping that they would throw some light upon his experience. One villager who was like a local historian, knew all about the castle that used to be there and how the last prince who lived in it, long ago, had 32 queens and he was also a great lion-hunter. In fact, the man told him, "I would not be surprised that the lion that we hired you to kill is not also the spirit of the dead prince reincarnated as the lion attacking our livestock."
But the judge did not say anything about his experience the night before. He only continued to listen. "It is said too," the villager continued, "That every
Jain Education International
158
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
