________________
of births in lower species as well as in hell. II. Sukumcirikā: (The second human birth):
Then after coming out of hell, she was conceived as a girl, in this very city of Campa, in the womb of Bhadrā, the wife of a merchant named Sāgaradatta. On account of her delicacy the parents named her as 'Sukumārikā'. She passed her childhood and attained excellent beauty, youth and charm. One day while she was playing with a ball on her 'terrace, she was seen by Jipadatta, another merchant in Campā. Jinadatta was so much astonished at her peerless beauty that he desired her to be the wife of his son Sāgaraka. Then with all pomp and glory he went to the house of Sāgardatta and demanded her as the bride of his son Sāgara. Sāgaradatta consented on the condition that •Sagara' should live at his house, as he could not bear the separation of his only daugbter. The terms were inutually agreed to, and the marriage of Sāgara and Sukumārikā took place.
At the time of the marriage, when 'Sagara' took the hand of Sukumārika in his hands, he experienced a sensation as if he had touched a sword.blade or smouldering fire. (Due to the sin committed in the past and especially because she had poisoned Dharmaruci in one of her past births, Sukumārikā's body possessed that repulsive, irritaiing and burning touch.) Then 'Sagara' went to the bed-room along with her, but being unable to bear that buroing touch, he opened the door, and seeing that Sukumārikā was asleep, he bolted away from the bouse and went home.
When Sāgaradatta came to know this, he went to Jina. datta's house, and burning with rage he condemned Sāgara in the strongest language. But inspite of his father's requests and threats, Sāgara gave a flat refusal, to go to his father-in-law's house, and Sagaradatta returned home crest fallen and dejected. Then he consoled Sukumārikā with sweet words and promised her another husband.
Now after some days Sāgaradatta saw a miserable beggar passing by the royal road. He brought that beggar to his house, bathed him, clothd bim, decorated him with ornaments, and offered him his daughter Sukumārikī. But Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
