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GLIMPSES ALONG LIFE'S JOURNEY
Lovers from the heavens and reunited lovers again now, Srimati and Bajrajangha were devoted to each other, and spent much of their time together, enjoying the pleasures of life, and also worshipping the Lord Arhant, whom they regarded as the source of their great good luck. Many children were born to Srimati; and they were all wise and healthy children.
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It used to be the practice, nay the ambition, of all great men in those days to renounce the world and to practise tapaścharana for controlling their destiny. In the fulness of time Bajrabāhu the royal father of Bajrajangha, too, placed the latter on the throne of his ancestors and became an ascetic saint under Sri Yamadhara Saint. Sri Ganadhar Saint initiated the Emperor later. The latter sought, before renouncing the world, to give his kingdom to his sons, Amitateja and others who were born subsequently; but they refused to be burdened with worldly filth that had to be given up ultimately. They all retired from the householder's life with their father. At last he placed his grandson Pundarika on the throne, and took to saintly life.
Pundarika was, however, too small yet. His grandmother, Lakshmimati and his mother Anundhari, who was the sister of Bajrajangha, sent urgent messengers to Bajrajangha to take
