Narrative Tale in Jain Literature

SR No.: 006527
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Asiatic Society
Publication Year: 2008
Total Pages: 162
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Literature
File Size: 8 MB

Page 125

110
NARRATIVE TALE IN JAIN LITERATURE
persons and tormented ones, as faithless women, ignoble men, etc. And this drama amuses the mighty king immensely. The principal wife of this king is "Effect-ofTime" (Kālapariņati), and he has to ask her advice on all occasions. She too takes delight with her husband in the drama of the world-wandering. She wishes for a son, and a son is born, who receives from his father the name "Manas-he-should be" (Bhavyapuruṣa) and from his mother the name "Well-disposed" (Sumati). Now in the city of "Wayof-man" there lives a great sage named Sadāgama, ie., "The true doctrine." The king is very much afraid of this man, because he spoils the king's drama, as he has already liberated many of the actors and taken them to a city called "Blissful-rest" (Nirvṛti, meaning Nirvaṇa) situated outside the realm, where they live in the greatest happiness. Nevertheless the female attendant "Rich-in-Insight" succeeds in effecting a meeting of the prince with Sadagama. The parents give their consent to Sadāgama's undertaking the boy's education. Once when Sadagama is reciting his doctrines on the market-place, a great tumult arises. It is seen that the thief "Wandering-Soul" (Samsārijiva) is being led to the judgment-seat. (It is the Emperor Anusundara who appears in the form of this thief, in order to relate his experiences in countless rebirths for the instruction of his relatives.) "Rich-in-Insight" takes pity on the thief, and advises him to seek the protection of Sadāgama. The executioners have to release him, and he now relates his experiences for the instruction of "Richin-Insight" and Prince "Well-disposed." Now there comes the story of Samsārijīva, ie., the soul wandering in the cycle of rebirths.
He relates how he was first of all born as a plant in the world "Motionless", how he then came to the city "Homeof-beings-with-one-sense-organ" and ever and again wandered to and fro among the lowest organisms, the earth-bodies (stones, minerals, etc.), the water-bodies (hoar-frost, snow, fog, etc.), fire-bodies and wind-bodies,2 and suffered many sorrows and torments. He was then
28. In the belief of the Jaina, all these are beings having souls.