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17. Ah ! what would the world be to If children were no more ? We should dread the desert behind us Worse than the dark before.
-LONGFELLOW. Years rolled by and Prince Mahavira grew. up to be a noble youth. Popular reports carried his fame far and wide to the courts of kings and princes. Rulers of states with daughters of marriageable age began to cast longing eyes at Prince Mahavira for their son-in-law.
Not a day passed without the arrival of at least one messenger from a foreign court at the palace of Kundalpura with the offer a princess as bride for the son of King Siddhartha.
Trisila Devi, like all mothers of great sons was anxious to have an excellent daughter-in-law.
A few intimate friends were set about Mahavira to find out his views on marriage and the leanings of his heart.
Mahavira began to argue with them about the blessedness of the state of celebacy and the sorrows of matriniony.
Just then, Trisila Devi entered the room and by opening the flood-gates of her maternal affection swept away all opposition from the .
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