________________
A CRITICAL STUDY
dead. It fell lifeless on the earth like a mountain-peak. At the king's order, its stomach was opened; and vivisection was continued on the inner contents, till at last all the people, horses, etc. came out like a swarm of moths from a nest. They went to their respective places, and I went home. I have myself experienced all this; well, if you disbelieve, give us a feast." (II. 1-25).
Elāşadha, who had studied Purana, Bhärata, etc., at once said that whatever Kandarika described was quite believable without any doubt. He continued to confirm the same:“1) According to the Vişnupurāņa, in the beginning, when the five elements had not come into existence, there was the extensive ocean on the waves of which rolled an egg for a long time. It broke into two halves; and out of one half came this earth. Thus all the living beings, gods, men, beasts, etc. were found accommodated in that egg. 2) In the Araṇya-parvan, Mārkandeya has narrated his experience to Dharmaputra thus: 'At the time of universal deluge, when there was water everywhere and the world was devoid of living habitation, an extensive and lofty Vața tree was seen. A handsome boy was seated on a bed which was spread on its branches. The saint Mārkandeya stretched his arms to receive the boy' lest he might succumb to the floods. He visualised in the stomach of that boy the whole world with its mountains and forests. He entered the stomach and dwelt there for one thousand years, but could not reach its end : 80 he came out at last. Thus a child's stomach could contain the whole world.' 3 ) Devaki's waist was so slender that it could be caught in a fist; still Kelava dwelt in her womb; and his stomach contained the earth with its mountains, forests, etc. 4) Without being suffocated to death, all the people on the earth lived comfortably in the stomach of Vasudeva and continued their activities such as agriculture, trade, battle, festivals, etc. There is no doubt that the world was contained in Kegava's stomach. Once Brahman claimed that he is the creator ( kartā), because the four Varņas emerged from his mouth, arms, thighs and feet; but Keśava retorted that his claim was ridiculous and that he (Brahman) was as good as his boy. Keśava continued that the earth and sky formed the cavity, the mountains his jaws and the ocean his tongue; if necessary, Brahman should enter his stomach and see that the whole world was there. Keśava further added that Brahman was ungratefully talking thus when he too was born from his navel. 5) At the time of Draupadi's self-choice, it is reported that the mighty bow of Drupada was presided over by deities. Drupada announced that he who strung his bow and shot the specified target would win the hand of Draupadi. Many kings failed to string it. That mighty Siśupāla' was nearly successful, but Krona frustrated his attempt by putting into the bow some additional weight in the form of elephants, mountains, planets, etc. The bow was so heavy that even the earth could not bear the load. Arjuna, however, took the aid of Bhima's palm for its support, ably strung the bow, and successfully hit the target.
1
2 Jain Education International
If we read risino, then it would mean that the boy received that saint. The text reads Sasipăla.
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
