Yasastilaka and Indian Culture

SR No.: 001609
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Krishnakant Handiqui
Publisher: Jain Sanskruti Samrakshak Sangh Solapur
Publication Year: 1968
Total Pages: 566
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Story, Literature, & Culture
File Size: 16 MB

Page 64

3. THE STORY OF YASODHARA AND ITS SOURCES
was raised by the doorkeeper, and physicians were sent for; but Nayanāvali, thinking that medical consultation would not be to her advantage, cried aloud and rushed upon the king, and weeping without tears, strangled him to death. Yasodharā also died the same day as her son.
The births and rebirths which the king and his mother undergo after their death are practically same in both the versions of the story until we come to the birth of Abhayaruci and Abhayamati, these names being common to the two versions. In Haribhadra's version Abhayaruci and Adhayamati are not brought to the temple of Candamāri for sacrifice, but are reborn as gods in the Sahasrāra heaven. On the termination of their life in heaven, Abhayaruci is born as the son of Vinayandhara, the king of Ayodhyā, and named Yasodhara; while Abhayamati is born as the daughter of Īśānasena, the king of Pāțaliputra, and named Vinayamati. When they were grown up, Vinayamati was sent to Ayodhyā with a great retinue as svayaṁvarā bride for Yasodhara, and preparations were at once made by the latter's father for the wedding of the young couple. But, on the day fixed for the marriage, while Yasodhara was going in a procession on the back of a white elephant to the bride's quarters, he happened to see a monk begging at a merchant's house, which at once revived the memories of his previous births, and he fell into a swoon. The trouble was thought to be due to the toxic effect of betel, and sandal-water was sprinkled over the prince, who soon regained consciousness, opened his eyes, and felt a deep disgust for the world. Yaśodhara then asked his father to call the queens and the notables; and when they were all assembled in a road-side pavilion, he related the long story of his previous existences beginning with his birth as Surendradatta, king of Ujjain. He spoke about the terrible consequences of sin and his own indifference to the prison of the world, and finally declared his unwillingness to proceed with the marriage. The remonstrances of his father were of no avail; and a priest was at last sent to the bride to intimate to her the decision of the prince and his desire to renounce the world. The priest went on his mission and began to relate the story of Yaśodhara's previous birth, but as soon as the princess heard the names Surendradatta, Yasodharã and Nayanāvalī, she in her turn remembered her past lives and fell into a swoon. Regaining consciousness, Vinayamati bewailed the strange way of the world, and declared that she was no other than Yasodharā, the mother of Surendradatta. She, too, expressed her desire to renounce the world and asked for permission to do so.
Yasodhara's father was deeply moved by these happenings, and became convinced of the illusory nature of life; and the queens, too, realised the transient character of the world resembling a troop of actors. Yaśodhara's