Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

SR No.: 001004
Original Sutra Author: Hemchandracharya
Author: Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra
Publication Year: 1954
Total Pages: 449
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Mythology, & Story
File Size: 9 MB

Page 207

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The mother is the source of comfort to women in trouble. Mother, I was disregarded by you in accordance with your husband's wish. Brother, there is no fault on your part, the father being alive. Husband, you being far away, everyone is hostile to me. Certainly, I, a woman without a husband, alone, should not live. For I, alone, live as the crest-jewel of the unfortunate."
CHAPTER THREE
Lamenting so, Añjana was led by her friend, who informed her first, and she saw Muni Amitagati in meditation in a cave. Bowing to the flying-ascetic with reverence, they sat down on the ground in front of him and he finished his meditation. Raising his right hand, he gave the blessing 'Dharmalabha,' which is the sole water-channel to the great garden of happiness of meditation. After bowing again with devotion, Vasantatilakā told him all of Añjana's trouble from the beginning.
Asked by her friend: "Who became her embryo and because of what act has she been reduced to such a wretched condition?" the muni related the following story:
Previous birth of Añjană (163-185)
"In Bharatakṣetra of this very Jambudvipa in the town Mandara there was a merchant, Priyanandin. By his wife, Jaya, he had a son, Damayanta, devoted to selfcontrol, a depository of arts, like the moon. One day as he was playing in the garden, he saw monks engaged in study and meditation and, pure-minded, listened to dharma from them. He accepted right-belief and took numerous limitations and gave a suitable irreproachable gift to the monks. Grounded in penance and self-control, he died in the course of time and became a magnificent god in the second heaven.
When he fell, he became the son, Sinhacandra, of King Haricandra, lord of the city Mrgānka, by Priyangulakṣmi. He professed the Jain faith, died in the course of time and attained divinity. When he fell, he became the son,