Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 2

SR No.: 001002
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

Page 46

PREVIOUS INCARNATION AS VIMALAVĀHANA
21
People are afraid of snakes so long as there is no Garuda. There is poverty of people so long as there is no wishingtree. People are terrified of existence so long as the vow is not taken. Good health, beauty and grace, long life, great wealth, authority, power, splendor, sovereignty, the rank of a cakravartin, the state of a god, the rank of a Sāmānika-god, of an Indra, of an Ahamindra, the state of an emancipated soul, or of a Tīrthankara--all these are the fruit of the vow. If any one, free from delusion, ob- serves mendicancy even for one day, if he does not attain
emancipation, nevertheless will reach heaven. How much more fortunate is he who undertakes mendicancy and observes it for a long time, after abandoning worldly glory like straw."
Life as a monk (264–305) After the great muni Arindama had delivered this sermon, he set out to wander elsewhere. For ascetics do not stay in one place. Then he (Vimalavāhana) wandered constantly with his preceptor, like his shadow, in villages, cities, forests, mines, towns accessible by land and water, etc.36 Versed in carefulness about walking, 87 he went on a road traveled by people, touched by the light of the sun, for the protection of lower forms of life,88 his eyes fixed on the road for a distance of six feet. Skilled in carefulness in speech, the muni used blameless, restricted speech, beneficial to all. Experienced in carefulness about purity of food, when he broke fast he accepted food that was unspoiled by the forty-two faults pertaining to alms. 39
After examining and cleaning seats, etc., carefully,
86 265. See I, p. 263 and note. 87 266. See I, n. 37.
38 266. Jantu, i.e., worms, insects, etc., that might be crushed on the road.
39 268. See I, n. 17. 40 269. This is pratilekhanā. See I, App. V, p. 453.