________________
JANUARY, 1968
109
cided to renounce the world. But before doing so, he narrated what he had heard from Sudatta to his children. Both the children now got instantaneous enlightenment and renounced the world, following Sudatta as his spiritual apprentices. In this way they were wandering with him and at the moment were right here in the presence of king Maradatta.
The narrative of the ascetic boy visibly moved Maradatta. He realised that the worldly happiness is like a dream or a magic-show and expressed his desire to enter the order. Abhayaruci advised him to see the sage Sudatta.
Meanwhile, Sudatta, perceiving by his supernatural knowledge that Maradatta was coming to meet him, himself came to the king's court. Abhayaruci introduced the king to his spiritual master, further communicating to him the king's desire to be initiated into religious life. Sudatta then gave a great discourse on Jaina doctrines including the triratna and enumerated different categories of samyaktva.
In the end the author Somadeva sings in praise of the Jaina faith :
jayatu jagdānandaspandi jinoktisudhārasa stadanu jayatāt kāmārāmah satām phalasangamaih
and acclaims the goddess of poetry :
jayatu kabitādevī šāsvattatašca yadāśryāt kịtimatiriyam sūte sūktim jagattrayabhūşanam
Based on a synopsis by K. K. Handiqui.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
