Mrigavati

Once upon a time, in the city of Kaushambi, there ruled a king named Shatnik. He was accompanied by his queen, Mrigavati. However, their peaceful existence was marred by their greatest adversary, King Chandrapradyot of Ujjain. Enchanted by the beauty of Queen Mrigavati, Chandrapradyot demanded that she be sent to his harem. If Shatnik refused, a war would be waged against him.

Upon receiving this message, Shatnik was overcome with shock and ultimately met his demise. Mrigavati, filled with fear and sorrow, dreaded the possibility of being subjected to Chandrapradyot's advances. Yet, she possessed great courage and sought the aid of her ministers to safeguard Kaushambi. She ordered the city gates to be shut, hoping to protect herself from Chandrapradyot's clutches.

Undeterred, King Chandrapradyot launched a siege on the city, determined to capture Mrigavati. Sensing the impending danger, Mrigavati devised a clever plan. She sent a message to Chandrapradyot, expressing her desire to protect the kingdom and highlighting the weaknesses of Kaushambi's old fort. She requested him to send strong bricks, renowned for their quality and produced in Ujjain, to fortify the city. She further suggested storing enough grain to sustain the city for six months. Only then, she promised, would she willingly join him.

Chandrapradyot, intrigued by the proposition, agreed to the queen's demands. He dispatched his soldiers to fulfill Mrigavati's requests, providing the necessary bricks and stocking the city with ample provisions. Six months later, as planned, Mrigavati ordered the city gates to be closed once again. This enraged Chandrapradyot, who resumed his siege on Kaushambi, infuriated by Mrigavati's apparent betrayal.

Undaunted, Mrigavati gathered her strength, finding solace in meditation while facing the direction of Lord Mahavir. She renounced her physical needs and immersed herself in deep contemplation. Her unwavering resolve and sacrifice exemplified her bravery in the face of adversity. As expected, her steadfastness attracted the attention of Lord Mahavir, who arrived in Kaushambi and set up camp outside the city in a serene garden.

Upon learning of Lord Mahavir's presence, Mrigavati felt immense joy. She concluded her meditation and confidently opened the city gates, much to the astonishment of her ministers, who feared Chandrapradyot's invasion. However, Mrigavati was certain that no harm would befall them. With a gathering of citizens and ministers, she approached Lord Mahavir.

Coincidentally, Chandrapradyot, who held great reverence for Lord Mahavir, also attended the sermon to pay his respects. After the discourse concluded, Mrigavati stood before Lord Mahavir and expressed her desire to renounce worldly life and become a nun. She sought Chandrapradyot's permission and entrusted her son to him. This unexpected turn of events shattered Chandrapradyot's wicked intentions, leaving him powerless.

Thus, Mrigavati protected her chastity by embracing the path of nunhood. Her unwavering faith and penance bore fruit, demonstrating that peace and happiness are elusive in this world. In the face of inevitable suffering and sorrow, she recognized the importance of freeing oneself from the bonds of karma through diligent spiritual practice. In this human birth, she realized the unique opportunity to break free from the cycle of birth and death, ultimately transcending to a state of godliness.