Stories From Jainism

Author(s): Mrugendramuni
Publisher: Jain Yoga Foundation

Page 61

except Vankachula died as the fruits were poisonous. As a result of his survival, Vankachula began to observe his vows more rigidly. He felt grateful to the Acharya.
Once, late at night Vankachula returned home and found his wife sharing her bed with another person. Vankachula was enraged and immediately drew out his sword to kill them. Then, he remembered the vow undertaken. So he retraced a few steps. While doing this, he struck himself against a wall behind him. His sword and shield fell down with a clang. The sound awoke the sleeping couple.
But he saw his sister Pushpachula in the guise of a man. He then realised how wise it was that he had retraced his steps. This saved his sister from being killed. Vankachula's wife and Pushpachula had gone to the neighbouring village to see a drama at night. His sister had dressed herself like a male, lest she should be molested at night.
Then Vankachula narrated the story of the four vows, given by the Acharya, which had been helpful in the miraculous sparing of their lives. All of them went to bed expressing their gratitude to the Acharya.
One day Vankachula went, at night, into the palace of the King of Ujjaini to steal. He entered the harem very stealthily but the Queen happened to see the thief. On seeing the beautiful physical form of Vankachula, she at once felt attracted to him and she expressed her desire to have carnal