The Forest of Thieves and the Magic Garden: An Anthology of Medieval Jain Stories (Penguin Classics) by Granoff Phyllis

Author:Granoff, Phyllis [Granoff, Phyllis]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2006-10-26T04:00:00+00:00

‘As Nala proceeded through the city he saw, in its center, a pillar five hundred cubits high. Without a moment’s sad thought for the loss of his kingdom, he playfully lifted up the pillar as if it were a plantain stalk. Then, as if to show that, though uprooted from his kingdom, he would plant his feet there firmly once more, he put the pillar back where it had stood. When the townspeople saw that they all said, “Strange indeed are the workings of Fate, if even Nala, with his strong arms, can lose his kingdom. Once when Nala and Kūvara were playing in the city garden a monk with divine sight and knowledge came into the garden. He told them, ‘In the future Nala will be the ruler of the southern half of Bharaha. He will move the five-hundred cubit pillar that stands in the center of the city.’ Now with our very own eyes we have seen both of these predictions come true. The only thing that seems wrong is that although Nala still lives someone else has become king of Kosalā. On the other hand, the words of a sage can never prove false. If Kūvara does not please his subjects, then surely Nala will be king here again.” And so Nala left the city, listening to words like these from the townspeople. The chariot was wet with tears that fell from Damayaṃtī’s eyes as she wept.

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