Rishidatta Diwakar Chitrakatha 046

Author(s): Shantakumari Sadhvi, Shreechand Surana
Publisher: Mahavir Seva Trust Mumbai

Page 33

. Rishidatta Once a Scholarly acharya named Dharmavijaya came to Rathamardanapur. Rishidatta, along with the royal family, went to attend the discourse. After that she asked the ascetic — "Munivar! I did not commit any sin in this life. In spite of being innocent I got the blame of being a cannibal and got the death sentence. What sin caused this? The sagacious ascetic explained - "Lady! The happiness and misery in life are not without a cause. They are consequences of karmas acquired during this or the earlier births. The blame you attracted came as a consequence of the deeds of your past life. On further query by Rishidatta, the ascetic said
You were Gangasena, the daughter of the king of Gangapur city in Bharat area. By the time you completed your education you acquired proficiency in many arts.
Daughter, Now your education
is complete.
In her youthful age Gangasena took the vow of celibacy and indulged in spiritual practices. She became famous and people from far and near came to pay her homage.
Once a mendicant woman named Sangama came to the town. Her austerities and detachment became talk of the town. Everyone started praising mendicant Sangama. The fame of princes Gangasena faded.
I will devote my life to spiritual
practices and public service.
People have started
forgetting me because of Sangama. Something should be done to bring about
her downfall.
000
POO09
АААААА
31 For Private & Personal Use Only