Stories From Jainism

Author(s): Mrugendramuni
Publisher: Jain Yoga Foundation

Page 74

absent-minded. She was on her guard now and avoided him. This made this new sadhu yearn for her, more and more. One night, he visited her bedroom and began to gaze at Kosha's beauty. He demanded her love. But she was not prepared to grant him her favours unless he brought for her a gem-studded shawl offered in charity to the sadhus by the King of Nepal.
The monk left and returned with the shawl, brought from Nepal with great difficulty. Kosha at first took the shawl but soon tore it into pieces and threw it out. At this, the sadhu was displeased. He began to scold her for her folly.
Kosha soon retorted, "Why do you give up your monkhood which can be resorted to only after giving up this world and its attachments?"
The sadhu realised his folly as she uttered these words. The scales of amour fell from his eyes. He began to regret his fall. "My character", he wondered, "was not tested in the cave of Parashuram, but it has been tested in the house of a harlot and it has been found wanting."
He was sorry for his downfall. He asked for Kosha's pardon and sought the compassion of his Acharya. He saluted Sthulabhadra and left the monastery.
Our salutations to Sthulabhadra, the conqueror of carnal lust and desires !
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