________________
38
SRNGĀRAMANJARIKATHA
Lord of the Sea come because of your services. Therefore accept this invaluable jewel" having said so, he gave it to him. Receiving it SURADHARMAN considered his efforts fruitful and happily went home. He wondered how it could be protected. Thinking a way out, he tore open his thigh, put the jewel in it and then healed it up. He then dressed like a madman, wearing rags, tying a dried garland on the head, eating on the way, sleeping anywhere, his body stained with dirt, and muttering only "Mother knows'. People heart fascinated by its glory had taken up his abode after having given up his stay at Kailāsa ?
Wandering thus on the road he reached Ujjayini after some days. How could that (city) be described where even the Lord of the three worlds, Sri Mahäkālanātha prompted by pleasures and his heart fascinated by its glory had taken up his abode after having given up his stay at Kailāsa ?
The city was protected by King VIKRAMARKA, who by the valour of his arms destroyed all his enemies and who imposed taxes like Trivikrama (Vişnu, who captured Bali). He had a courtesan named DEVADATTĀ who attracted the minds of all people. She was rich and famous. She was the one abode of beauty, charm, youth, cleverness and grace. She used to travel always searching for someone wealthy and fit to be fleeced. Once when she mounted on a cart drawn by horses and was accompanied by five or six hundred foot-soldiers and a retinue of clever maids she saw the mad man. Noticing his form she knew for certain that the man was in possession of some treasure for which even the three worlds were worthless, that the rogue was not mad by nature but only posing like a madman for some reason. Thinking thus, she said to him: "Good one, whence do you come? Where do you wish to go?” Though asked thus many times he only replied 'mother knows'. Then by her intuition knowing of his real self, she made him sit on the rear of the cart and brought him home. There he was bathed, fed and adorned with clothes, ornaments and unguents worthy of men of her company and she enjoyed with him sensual pleasures.
She spent six months with him in a similar manner, giving up her harlotry and neglecting her services to the king. Even by mistake he never gave another reply, but spoke as he had spoken before. Once it occurred to him that she had brought him because she had judged him correctly so it may be that by staying there more he might give her everything out of infatuation. (33) The best thing to do therefore was to go away from there. But wondering how to go away, he folded his hands and pointing towards his own country, indicating his desire to go, he frequently said 'mother knows'. ..
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
