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रहे । श्री कृष्ण का अत्यन्त भयोत्पादक पाँचजन्य नामक शंख को देखकर वे बहुत विस्मित हुए। उसको हाथ में लेकर उन्होंने उसे फूँका। उसकी आवाज़ सारी से राजधानी काँप उठी। इस बात को जानकर श्री कृष्ण एक दम द्वारका में पहुँचे। नेमिनाथ की ताकत को देखकर और उन्हें अपना सगा सम्बन्धी जानकर श्री कृष्ण ने उनका विवाह करने का प्रयत्न करने लगे । वैवाहिक जीवन के पराङमुख रहनेवाले नेमिनाथ बढों की बात नहीं ठुकरा सके। वे विवाह के लिये सहमत हो गये । वधू मथुरा नगर की युवरानी थी। बड़ी धूमधाम के साथ वर को लेकर वधु मित्र सपरिवार मथुरा नगर को पहुँचे। श्री नेमिनाथ जनवास में रात को सोये हुए थे तब चिड़ियों की चहचहाहट सुनाई पड़ी। नेमिनाथ ने उठकर पूछ-ताछ की तो मालूम हुआ कि मेहमानों को जलसे में खिलाने के लिये दूसरे दिन सब चिड़ियों को पकाएँगे । यह बात सुनकर नेमिनाथ चिन्ताग्रस्त हुए। सोचा कि मानवों के सुख के लिए प्राणियों की बलि ठीक नहीं है। एकदम उनके
to blow it. No sooner was this desire born in his heart, Shri Neminatha took the conch in his hands and blew it with all his might. It was such a loud sound that escaped from the Sankha that it reverberated through-out the kingdom and filled the hearts of the people with fear. Shri Krishna himself was much surprised. He returned home post-haste and was introduced to Shri Neminatha, his cousin. Shri Krishna felt that such a powerful man was characterised by machismo and immediately began efforts to get his cousin married. But Shri Neminatha, inspite of all his manliness, was reluctant to lead married life. At the same time he could not say no to his parents and his cousins and agreed to get maried. The bride was the princess of Mathura. The bridal party was on the move with all the paraphernalia. Soon the party arrived at a resting place on the way and were sleeping, when their sleep was disturbed by the cries of birds. On inquiry it was revealed that these birds were meant for meat on the following day at the camp. All the birds were going into the dishes to be prepared on the
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