Dhammakahanuogo

SR No.: 001954
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kanhaiyalal Maharaj, Dalsukh Malvania
Publisher: Agam Anuyog Prakashan
Total Pages: 810
Language: Prakrit
Classification: Book_Devnagari, Agam, Canon, Story, Literature, & agam_related_other_literature
File Size: 20 MB

Page 54

nd chirping of a in the four cohen-house in
cikitsalayas, constructores in the animals
and a mast, a kitch hers of
2. The Narrative of Nanda Maniyara In the city of Rajagpha there lived a jeweller (maniyāra) named Nanda. He had accepted the vows of a Jain layman from Mahavira. Later, as he fell in a bad company he neglected his religious duties. Once in summer time he had undertaken a fast and was staying in his fastinghall. At that time he suffered from extreme hunger and thirst which upset him. He thought of constructing a pond for the public use so that the travellers and others could quench their thirst and pause there.
Next morning, he got up and in order to obtain the king's permission for digging the pond approached him with gifts. After obtaining permission, near the Mt. Vaibhāra, at the sight approved by architects, he got a beautiful pond constructed. The pond looked charming with coloured flowers and chattering and chirping of acquatic animals and birds. In order to make it more attractive, he planted a grove of trees in the four corners of the pond. Then a picture - gallery (cittasabhā) was constructed on the east, a kitchen-house (mahanasasālá) on the south, a hospital (cikitsālaya) on the west and a barber's shop (alankāriya-sabhā) in the north. When the pond was ready various people such as travellers, wayfarers, manual workers, orphans, beggars and mendicants arrived there and reposed themselves. They were also provided with many other facilities. By this charitable deed the jeweller Nanda became known all over and people started talking about his selfless service. Nanda was very happy to hear people talking about his glorious deeds. But this applaud proved to be unfavourable as now he was not able to observe his vows so carefully as before.
After some time Nanda fell ill and suffered from various diseases. When the physicians could not cure him he made a public declaration that whosoever would cure him, would be honoured with as much wealth as he desired. Many tried their luck but no one was able to cure him.
Nanda died and as he was too much attached to his pond, he was reborn there as a frog. At that time Mahāvira was sojourning in the shrine of Gunasila in Rajagrha. The frog is said to have realised his guilt of his previous life so he thought of paying homage to Mahāvira. He was toddling to the shrine slowly and slowly when he got crushed under the hoof of a horse. His entrails were thrown out and he was unable to go further. At this time, with all his strength he tried to recite the sacred formula 'namotthu nam arahantānam' (salutations to the arhantas) and died. After death the frog was reborn as a heavenly god.
. By this here and savellers,
3. The Jain Adherent Ananda Ananda was a rich householder of Vaniyagama owning huge land and a large number of cattle. He possessed forty million measures of gold buried in a safe place and another forty thousand put out on interest.
Once when venerable ascetic Mahavira arrived in the town, Ananda thought of making a pilgrimage to him. He bathed and adorned himself with fine clothing and ornaments and
1. A similar story is narrated in Samantabhadra's Ratnakarandasravakācāra (4.30)