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RISABHA DEVA
of panels of scenes from her deva-life which Srimati had reproduced on the canvas. For days the picture hung on the wall, with the nurse watching by its side to catch the remarks of the spectators. Many passed by taking no notice of the picture; some cut jokes at what they termed the ' silly ideas of the artist. Two men on one occasion thought that the picture represented scenes from deva-life, and guessed the purpose of the display. But they failed in the test which had been subtly contrived by the lovely artist, and went away crest-fallen before the nurse.
At last the search was rewarded. The handsome prince Bajrajangha came one day to the Temple to worship the Jinas, and sauntered into the picture gallery after the devotions. He was attracted by the picture, and as he looked at the scenic detail a great agitation, mysterious and unaccountable, took hold of his mind. Till then he knew nothing of Svayam Prabhā, or even the fact that he had been a deva in the second heaven in his previous life. But he felt riveted to the spot, his mind lingering over the panels, especial. ly, over those which delineated the detail of the heavenly life of himself and Svayam Prabhā together.
Bajrajangha's interest and fascination fos the picture grew from moment to moment. He
