Dhurtakhyan

SR No.: 001861
Original Sutra Author: Haribhadrasuri
Author: Jinvijay
Publisher: Saraswati Pustak Bhandar Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 160
Language: Sanskrit, Prakrit, Gujarati
Classification: Book_Devnagari, Story, Literature, P000, & P030
File Size: 14 MB

Page 74

A CRITICAL STUDY
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and Bhārata, we would like to hear them. Manovega said that he would explain everything, if there are any thoughtful (visāraka) among them i otherwise his fate would be like that of Madhukara who received 16 strokes for telling the truth about the heaps of pepper and grains in different parts of the country. The leader assured him that they were all thoughtful Brāhmaņas. Further Manovega told them that he feared to speak, if any of them belonged to the following ten types of men (about whom ten stories are narrated): 1) rakta, a passionate husband duped by his younger wife; 2) dvişta, who wants his son to take revenge on his enemy by using his dead body; 3) müdha, a silly priest outwitted by his unchaste wife and pupil; 4) vyudgrähin, a blind block-head prince; 5) pitta-dūşita, a bilious fellow mistaking sweet as sour; 6) cüta, a wreckless king who pulled out the mango tree; 7) kşīra, a foolish Tomara chief who illtreated a milch cow; 8) aguru, an ignoramus who could not understand the value of aguru plantation; 9) candana, a washerman incapable of recognising sandal; and 10) bálisa: Four fools, once upon a time, saluted a Jaina saint, endowed with various religious and ascetic virtues, who uttered the blessing dharma-vrddhi'. They began to quarrel as to whom it was meant for; and when they asked the monk, he told them that it was meant for him who was decided to be the most foolish by the wise people of the town after hearing their biographies. 10a) Vişamekşaņa narrated thus: One day I was sleeping with my two wives on both sides. Just for joke, I placed the lamp on my forehead. A mischevous rat pulled the burning wick, and one of my eyes was scorched. Afraid of disturbing my wives, I allowed my eye to be burnt. 106) Kuntahaṁsagati spoke thus: 'Řkşi and Khari are my most ugly wives; their mutual jealous abuse and quarrel made me lose both my legs; and being afraid of them, I tolerated all this.' 10c) Bota (or Boda) said thus:
I had been to my father-in-law. At night, I had a bet with my wife that one who speaks first should give a rich feast. A thief entered the house and collected all the treasure. He began stripping my wife of her clothes on the body. I kept quiet. She began to abuse me at the loss of wealth and at her insult. I at once told her that she lost the game by speaking first, and she should give the feast now.' 100 ) Gallasphoţika told his tale thus: 'I had gone to the house of my father-in-law. Out of bashfulness and seeing some hedious sight, I did not take my meals. As time passed, I was overpowered by hunger. I was just gulping a handful of fine rice kept in a basket below the cot when my wife came there, and I could not swallow them. My mouth was full to the brim; I cauld not speak; and my cheeks grew hard. There was a great row, and different explanations were offered about my disease, A skilful physician diagnosed my trouble, calling it tanduliya ailment; he quietly bored my cheeks and took out rice particles. Thus I made myself an object of ridicule.' After hearing these tales, the Brāhmaṇas assured Manovega that none from them belonged to any of the ten types and that he should answer their question. Manovega spoke thus: Vişņu is a mighty divinity, full of glory, grace and power; then how is it that he stayed