Haribhadrasuri Krut Chandappahachariya Ni Ek Drushtant Katha

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Haribhadrasuri krut Chandappahachariya ni Ek Drushtant Katha," as presented on page 1 and 2:

Book Title: Haribhadrasuri krut Chandappahachariya ni Ek Drushtant Katha Author(s): Saloni Joshi Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan Catalog link: https://jainqq.org/explore/229693/1

This text, attributed to Saloni Joshi in "Anusandhan-5 (p. 68)" under the section 'Ketlak Kathaghatko' (A Few Story Elements), presents a parable from Acharya Haribhadrasuri's work, the 'Chandappahachariya' (composed around 1223 AD), specifically from verses 1537-1716. The story is described as being similar to one found in Udaykalash's 'Shilavati Chopai', focusing on a woman hiding her pregnancy to avoid illicit relations. The author notes that the 'Chandappahachariya' is currently unpublished and she is undertaking its editing.

The story unfolds as follows:

In the city of Ujjain, King Girivikramsar had a cunning friend named Muldev. Despite his suspicions about women's chastity, Muldev married a girl born blind (jaccandha) at the king's insistence. Through Muldev's fervent prayers and devotion, the presiding deity granted the blind girl sight. One day, after overhearing his maid praise the wealth and virtues of a merchant named Dutt, the formerly blind girl became enamored with him. With the maid's help, she engaged in illicit relations with Dutt.

Upon observing her closely, the wise Muldev realized she had been with another man. Troubled and pondering whether this was an isolated incident or a common occurrence, he set out for the royal court. On his way, he saw an elephant mahout (mith) adorned for amorous pursuit. Out of curiosity, Muldev followed him and witnessed the king's chief queen meeting the mahout. The mahout was even striking the queen with the elephant's rope for being late, yet she placated him and engaged in carnal pleasures with him. Witnessing this, Muldev returned home in astonishment.

The next day, Muldev encountered a great ascetic (mahavrati) on the main road. Driven by curiosity, he followed the ascetic into his monastery. Inside, the ascetic placed his utensils aside. He then drew a diagram on the ground and recited a mantra. From his chest, he extracted a young woman the size of a thumb, sprinkled her with enchanted water, and she transformed into a beautiful maiden. After spending time with her, the ascetic left for some errand. Immediately, the maiden took a thumb-sized youth from her heart, sprinkled him with enchanted water, and he became a handsome young man. After enjoying themselves as they pleased, and realizing the ascetic was due to return, she turned the youth back into a small form and hid him within her chest. The ascetic returned, transformed the maiden back into her thumb-sized form, and hid her in his chest.

Witnessing this, Muldev was extremely surprised. He then went to the king and invited him for a meal at his home the following day. He also invited the great ascetic for his meal.

The next day, at mealtime, when the king arrived, Muldev remarked that even the most delicious food is not satisfying without the company of one's beloved. He asked the king to summon his chief queen. The chief queen was summoned. Muldev then told her about the day's events and asked her to summon the mahout. Following this, Muldev asked the ascetic to bring forth his beloved from his chest. The astonished ascetic, through his mantra, made the maiden appear. That maiden was then asked to summon her beloved. The ascetic was surprised by this. The maiden then sprinkled enchanted water, summoning her beloved.

Finally, it was the turn of the formerly blind girl. Muldev had Dutt summoned for her. Witnessing all of this, the king was astonished. Muldev then revealed the true events. In anger, the king punished everyone involved.