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RIŞABHA DEVA
who gave it to Manimāli, if not his own father who had re-incarnated in heavens in his third incarnation? I will tell you, sir, the story of this beautiful necklace, though you have heard it ere this, no doubt. In his human incarnation as Manimāli's father the deva was called Danda. He was a powerful king, and was very fond of the pleasures of life, so much so that he made over his throne to his son and abandoned himself to pleasure-seeking with his whole heart. At last he died, and in consequence of the predominance of the animal nature was reborn as a huge serpent in his own treasury. There the sight of his own riches stimulated his recollection, and he recovered the memory of his past life. He was filled with sorrow, and overwhelmed with grief at the unhappy condition in which he found himself. About that time Manimāli learnt from a clairvoyant saint that his father had reincarnated in his own palace, as a monster snake, and had also recovered the memory of his past life. He went to the Treasury chamber, sat down quietly there before the snake, and, anid much sorrow and regret, explained to him the nature of the scientific dharma (Jainism) which alone is helpful to a soul in distress. The serpent followed him attentively, and was fully convinced of the folly of a life of pleasure, and sense-grati
