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SOME JAINA CANONICAL SOTRAS
best of Jinas, you are the protector of all unprotected beings, Forgive me, Oh ascetic, I have disturbed your meditation, by asking you to enjoy pleasures.' Thus the king together with his wives, servants, and relations became a staunch believer in the Law with a pure mind. The ascetic who was rich in virtues, protected by the three guptis, walked about on the earth, free from delusion and abstaining himself from doing injury to living beings.
In the town of Sauryapura ? there was a powerful king named Vasudeva, who possessed the characteristic marks of a king. He had two wives named Rohini and Devaki. Each of them had a beloved son, Rāma and Keśava. In the same town there was another powerful king named Samudravijaya who was endowed with the characteristic marks of a king. He had a wife named Sivā whose famous son was Aristanemi who was the lord of ascetics. Ariştanemi had a strong body, who was gifted with an excellent voice and possessed many lucky marks of the body. Vasudeva's son Keśava wanted to marry Rājimati. Hearing that many animals would be killed during the marriage ceremony, Keśava renounced the world. Räjimati thought that it would be better for her to become a nun. Firm and decisive she cut off her tresses. When she entered the Order, she induced many people, her relations and servants, to follow her. She took off her clothes and was naked. She was thus seen by Rathanemi. On seeing her naked Rathanemi's peace of mind was disturbed. Rājimati was frightened when she discovered herself alone with the monk. Rathanemi spoke to her, 'Oh dear, beautiful lady, do accept me for your lover. You shall have no cause to complain. Come, let us enjoy pleasures.' When Rājimati perceived that Rathanemi's strength of will was broken, and temptation had overpowered him, she did not lose the presence of her mind and defended herself. She maintained the honour of her
ly and her virtue and said to him thus, 'Shame upon you, Oh famous knight, it would he better for you to die. I am the daughter of a Bhoja king and you are an Andhakavşşņi. Being born in a noble family let us practise self-control. If you fall in love with every woman you see, you will be without any hold.' Having heard these well-spoken words of the virtuous lady he returned to the Law. Protected in thoughts, words and acts, subduing his senses and keeping the vows, he practised true śramaņahood throughout his life. After
fami
1 Uttarādhyayana, XX. 2 This town was named after Krşņa (Sauri, an epithet of Krona).
