Stories From Jainism

Author(s): Mrugendramuni
Publisher: Jain Yoga Foundation

Page 22

One day, a painter visited King Adinshatru of Kuru and sought refuge with him. The painter was commissioned to make a portrait for the play-hall of the King of Videh. While he was drawing the picture, he heard a sound outside the gate. Hence, he turned towards the gate. But before he could actually see who was passing he could only notice the beautiful feet of a woman. From a mere glimpse of her feet, he drew a beautiful portrait of the girl. The king saw the picture and suspected that Malli must have been with the painter. This led to the painter's dismissal from the court. Hearing this, King Adinshatru asked the painter to make a replica of the original picture. And the portrait was duly drawn and handed over to the King. Soon he was also enamoured of the princess and asked for her hand through a courier.
One day, a maid-in-waiting visited the harem of King Jitashatru of Panchal. She talked of the great beauty of the Princess Malli of Videh. The king at once desired to have her as his wife. So a message was sent asking for her hand.
In this manner, six messengers from six different kings gathered in the court of the King of Videh. When he heard the purpose of their mission, he was angry and dismissed them all.
As their messengers were rebuffed, all the six kings jointly attacked the Kingdom of Videh. But the king was not prepared to fight all the six simultaneously. Hence, he closed the gates of his court.