Page Text
________________
240
Mahāvira, out of shame only, he inquired :-- Bhagavan ! Is she the same that she actually was? My sister The Worshipful Bhagavāna again replied :-- Yes, It is actually so." Now Ganadhara Mahārāja Indrabūti who was sitting on the foot-stool asked a question for the benefit of others, although he knew the true meaning through the medium of his sruta jnana. Bhagavāna ! what is the meaning of the answer “ She is the same that she actually was? The Venerable Bhagavāna said :--The story is rather long. You all listen carefully.
Story of the Gold-Smith
At Campā Nagarî in this Jambu-dvipa, there lived a goldsmith. He was licentious, and whenever he saw a handsome girl to his taste, he would give her five hundred gold coins and make her his wife.
By marrying in this way, he made five hundred wives. He gave bracelets, necklaces, anklets and costly garments to each one of them, with this condition, that on the day when he would like to have sexual enjoyment with any particular girl, she sho. uld have sweet-smelling anointment over her body after a clean bath, and should put on nice clothes and costly ornaments, but on other days all of them must have simple dress. The goldsmith was invariably insulting any girl who tried to go against his orders. He was envious, and he kept a strict watch on the door of his touse, He did not allow any of his relatives to enter. the house, and he did not go anywhere else. When all his wives were passing their days in this way, an opportunity occurred-the gold-smith was, against his own wish and with very hard persuation, taken to his house for dinner by an intimate friend.
On getting a suitable opportunity after a very long time, the wives of the gold-smith thought:-"What is the earthly utility of leading such a miserable life? Of what use are these ornaments of gold and precious gems? How does this extensive use of money
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
| SR No. | 008003 |
| Book Title | Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 2 Vibhag 2 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker |
| Publisher | Parimal Publication |
| Publication Year | 1989 |
| Total Pages | 802 |
| Language | English, Sanskrit |
| Classification | Book_English, Biography, History, & Religion |
| File Size | 20 MB |