Page Text
________________
THE INITIATION AND OMNISCIENCE OF AJITA 77 remain right here, let them remain, certainly. Alas ! even this body does not follow from place to place. For the sake of this miserable ungrateful body, foolish people acquire much evil karma in vain.
Alone a creature is born, alone he dies ; alone he experiences karma accumulated in another birth. The wealth which he acquired is again consumed by others together; but he, alone, is tormented in the bosom of hell because of his acts. Alone a creature subject to karma wanders again and again in this extensive forest of existence, terrible with the forest-fire of pain. Whatever pain is connected with existence, whatever happiness arises from emancipation, alone he experiences that. There is no companion. Just as one swimming across a river does it in a moment, but not if he has possessions fastened to his chest, hands, feet, etc.; just so, averse to possessions of money, body, etc., alone, he arrives safely across the ocean of existence."
While the Lord was engaged in these reflections, his mind averse to existence, the Lokāntika-gods, 160 the Sārasvatas, etc., came and said to him :“O Blessed One, you are self-enlightened. Certainly you are not enlightened by us. Nevertheless, this is a reminder, Lord of the World. Found a congregation.” After saying this and bowing at Ajita Svāmin's feet, they went to Brahmaloka, like birds to their nest at evening.
By their speech which conformed to his own thoughts, the Lord's disgust with existence was increased like a cloud by an east wind. Then the Teacher of the Three Worlds summoned Sagara and said, “ Take the burden of the kingdom from us because we wish to cross the ocean of existence."
So addressed by Ajitanātha, Sagara, his face dark, shedding tears like a cloud rain-drops one by one, said, "Have I shown a lack of devotion to Your Majesty,
180 138. See below, this chapter.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
| SR No. | 001002 |
| Book Title | Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 2 |
| Original Sutra Author | Hemchandracharya |
| Author | Helen M Johnson |
| Publisher | Oriental Research Institute Vadodra |
| Publication Year | 1937 |
| Total Pages | 438 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English, Mythology, & Story |
| File Size | 9 MB |