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 92

SRI MALLINATHACARITRA
Dharana (67-86)
Now, Dharana's jiva fell from Vaijayanta and became a king, named Candracchāya, in the city Campā. There was a Jain layman, Arhannaya, living in this city, who made ocean-voyages, embarked on a boat, for commerce. Then Sakra praised him in his assembly, saying, "There is no other layman equal to Arhannaya." Then a god who was jealous went to the ocean and created instantly a calamitous wind and mass of clouds. At once the sailors, trembling from fear of the boat's destruction, sought favors from their favorite deities. But Arhannaya thought, "If I am to die from this calamity, I should fast," and, having made the rejection of all worldly interests, he remained absorbed in meditation. The god assumed the form of a Rakṣas and, standing in the air, said to Arhannaya: 'Give up the religion of the Arhats and obey my command. Otherwise, I shall break the boat like a potsherd and make you and your attendants food for sea-animals."
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As he remained unshaken from his religion notwithstanding, the god was astonished, asked his pardon, and told about Sakra's praise. He gave him two pairs of beautiful earrings, destroyed the terrible clouds, wind, et cetera and departed.
In course of time Arhannaya disembarked from the ocean on dry land and went to Mithila with all his merchandise. Arhannaya, knowing what was proper, nobleminded, made a gift of one pair of earrings to King Kumbha. King Kumbha gave it at once to his daughter Malli and, urbane, entertained Arhannaya and dismissed him. After he had sold and bought merchandise, he went to Campā with untroubled mind and gave the second pair of earrings to Candracchaya. The king asked him, "O merchant, where did you get this pair of earrings?" He told the story of the acquisition of the earrings without any deceit, just as it was. In connection with the gift of the other similar pair of earrings, he described in detail the exceeding beauty
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