________________
NandiSootra
this. He said "I am pleased to know about the feelings of goodwill and affection for ascetic Vajra. Only to acquaint you with his ability and expertise I had given this task to him and left on my tour." And then, realizing that without formally getting knowledge from a guru no one can be appointed a teacher of the Agams, acharya Simhagiri himself gave all his knowledge to ascetic Vajra.
During his wanderings from one village to other, acharya Simhagiri once came to Dashpur city. At that time acharya Bhadragupta, due to his old age, had abandoned his itinerant way and was residing permanently in Avanti city. Acharya Simhagiri sent ascetic Vajra and two, other disciples for studies under acharya Bhadragupta. With all humbleness ascetic Vajra served his new guru and acquired the knowledge of ten Purvas. When acharya Simhagiri found that his end was near he installed ascetic Vajra to the position of acharya.
Acharya Vajra wandered around a large area for a long time and with the help of his impressive personality, endless scriptural knowledge and many special powers, worked successfully for an extensive spread of religion. All this became possible with the help of his parinamiki buddhi.
16. Charanahat (The kicked one) In a city ruled a young king. Considering him to be immature, some young individuals came to him and in order to gain favours, advised him "Sir, you are young, therefore you should appoint only young men to direct the affairs oi the state. Being energetic and able, such persons will successfully handle the administration." The elderly persons can hardly do anyE thing efficiently and properly due to their physical weakness."
Although the king was young, he was very intelligent. In order tch test the wisdom of these young people he put before them aE question "How should I punish someone who kicks at my head with his feet?"
The young people were ready with a reply - "He should be cut toy pieces."
Now the king put the same question before his elderly andE experienced ministers, they pondered over the question and replied "Sir, you should shower your affection and gifts on him."
The young men turned red with anger. The king pacified them and asked the ministers to explain their statement. One of the elderly ministers stood up and said - "Sir, who else but your infant son can possibly kick you in your head? The playful activities of an infant prince are rewarded with love and gifts, not punishment."
This explanation from the elders made the youth ashamed at their ignorance. The happy king rewarded the elderly ministers. He said to the young men "In the affairs of the state energy is not the only requirement; intelligence and experience are also needed." The elders satisfied the king with their parinamtki buddhi.
17. Anvala - A potter made an anvala (a citrus fruit) with yellow sand. Considering a person to be ignorant, he tried to sell the anvala and gave it in his hand. Taking the fruit in his hand the man thought "It looks to be anvala but it is very hard. And this is not the season for this fruit." With the help of his parinamiki buddhi he understood that it was just a model. He threw it on the ground and was not caught in the trap.
18. The Bead In a jungle lived a gem bearing snake. During the night it slithered up a tree and fed on the chics of birds. Once when it was slithering up the tree it lost balance and fell from the tree. During this fall its gem got stuck into the branches of the tree. Exactly under the tree was a well. Due to the radiant reflection of the gem the water in the well started appearing red. In the morning a boy came Aagam- 44 -NandiSootra ~97~ Compiled by- Deepratnasagar
