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Chapter 2: Collection of Examples
175
"I know, my dear son, that you are not defeated by thirst. But there is no water in my vicinity, what should I do?" (7)
"Now, drink the river water and kill the living beings. Even a forbidden act is to be performed in times of distress by the wise." (8)
As it is said, "Even a forbidden act should be performed in times of distress, where inaction is completely harmful. When the royal road is very slippery due to heavy rain, even the wise sometimes travel on a side path." (9)
"This is a distress of death, how can it be overcome? You should consider the five great sins in the presence of a good teacher." (10)
Saying this, he crossed the river and thought, "My son will surely be ashamed to give me water when he sees me." (11)
"A virtuous person, even if he is pure, is afraid while performing an act. I will slowly move away from his sight." (12)
Thinking thus, he moved forward and soon reached the river. Even though he was thirsty, he did not drink the water, being firm in his vow. (13)
"Others say that the child was greatly distressed by the living beings. His tongue, mouth, and chest were drying up, he thought." (14)
"I will drink even the undrinkable, for water is not undrinkable at this time. I will perform penance later in the presence of my teacher." (15)
Thinking thus, he scooped up water with his cupped hands and brought it to his mouth. As soon as he did so, he became aware. (16)
"How can I, who know the Jain teachings, drink this? The Jinas have said that even a drop of water contains countless living beings." (17)
"Frightened, the aquatic creatures, the stationary creatures like algae, etc., are in the water. By drinking it, he would become a killer of all." (18)
"How many days do those who are protected live? Who is capable of protecting their lives by killing others?" (19)
"This is a living being, I will not kill it at all." Deciding thus, he slowly released the water from his cupped hands into the river. (20)
Even though he was a child, he had the courage of a grown-up. He then crossed the riverbank. He was unable to walk due to thirst. (21)
With his mind steadfast in Dharma, even though he was overcome by thirst, he remembered the five great vows and went to heaven in distress. (22)
"Using your knowledge of the past, knowing your previous birth, go forward and see your father, enter his body and then follow him." (23)
The sage Dhanasharma followed him, and then the celestial being followed him. Seeing his son approaching, he was happy and stood still. (24)
(Pair) Then, out of compassion for the monks, the celestial being Dhanasharma created many cowherds in the air. (25)
Having obtained buttermilk and other things from them, the virtuous ones regained their health. Like nectar, they drank from the pools of nectar, becoming free from old age. (26)
Thus, they lived happily, roaming in the cowherds created by him. They crossed the forest and reached the last cowherd. (27)
As they were going further, one of them wanted to know his own form. The celestial being made him forget. (28)
Having gone a long distance and remembering his form, the vow-bound man became worried. He did not see his own form in