Sachitra Tirthankar Charitra

Author(s): Amarmuni, Shreechand Surana
Publisher: Padma Prakashan

Page 208

ऋषभ
3ifra
सम्भव
अभिनन्दन
सुमति
पद्मप्रभ
सिंह
गज
वृषभ
Immediately the merchant entered the slave market. He looked at the princes and was immediately drawn to analysing the situation, "No, she cannot be a slave girl. She is a divine person. O lord ! How evil the prevailing conditions have become ! Such inhuman torture to such a delicate and cultured girl. A lovely girl in such a wretched predicament.” The merchant was mc:ed. He approached Vasumati and said, "Child, I am merchant Dhanavah. I am a follower of Nirgranth Shramans and live in this town. Looking at your troubles I feel depressed. If you do not wish to go with the courtesan I will not allow this to happen. I will buy you by paying a hundred thousand golds. Would you come with me? Would you live with me as my daughter ?"
An orphan princess, sold as a slave, arrived at the house of merchant Dhanavah. But his wife, Mula, became doubtful as soon as she saw the divinely beautiful girl entering her household. The moment Mula set her eyes on Vasumati she saw a rival for the favours of her husband. Sown were the seeds of doubt even for her upright husband.
Due to her sweet demeanour Vasumati had a magical influence over the household. The fragrance of her poise and coolness of her nature inspired Dhanavah to call her Chandan (sandal wood). His wife Mula was smitten with envy. She thought that this poisonous flower should be nipped in the bud.
One day, merchant Dhanavah left the town on some business errand. This was a golden opportunity for Mula. She relieved all the servants of the household, called Chandana, replaced her beautiful dress with rags, took off all her ornaments, tied her in shackles and shaved her long silky hair. Chandana uttered in surprise, “Mother, what are you doing? I have done no harm to you. For what misdeed are you punishing me ?"
Mula silenced Chandana, put her in a dark cell, locked it and left.
Dhanavah returned on the third day. When he saw the house abandoned he was taken aback. He called, "Chandan, O Chandan !" But no one replied. He went at the back of the house and shouted once again. Chandana shouted back, "Father, I am here, in the cellar on the back side."
The merchant went in and saw that the cellar was locked. Looking through the bars of the iron gate he saw Chandana in her wretched condition and started crying, "What happened my daughter ? What evil soul has done this to you?" Chandana replied calmly, "Father, get me out first and then I will tell you everything."
The merchant broke the lock and brought out Chandana. She asked, "Father, I have not taken even a drop of water for last three days. Please give me something to eat and drink.” The merchant went around the house but
लक्ष्मी
चन्द्र
Illustrated Tirthankar Charitra
(847)
सचित्र तीर्थंकर चरित्र
विमल
samen
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अनन्त
धर्म
शान्ति
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अर
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