Gaudavaho

Author(s): Vakpatiraj, Narhari Govind Suru, P L Vaidya, A N Upadhye, H C Bhayani
Publisher: Prakrit Text Society Ahmedabad

Page 49

(xxxii) Form in the guise of the universe is a clear manifestation of Abhāva or Non-existence, like the blue appearance of the sky, which is just an illusion of occular perception" (1005).
Such are the reflections of Vākpatirāja, as given by him in this longest Kulaka. His criticism of the society, however, is very guarded and he speaks the language of a man of caution, who cannot afford to be blunt and outspoken for fear of offending the susceptibilities of the people who count. He wants to strike, but is afraid to wound. His expression, therefore, takes a devious, roundabout, twisted turn and is at times difficult to comprehend. Here are some gems of thoughts that one would like to cull from this book of life':-“With vain, (flattering) praises, men in authority are (so played upon and) mocked by rascals, that they (begin to entertain peculiar notions about themselves, although what actual merits ( they have ) are too patent" (858). "It is surprising that kings who are so suspicious and vigilant in guarding the privacy and ) secrecy of their wealth and wives, keep a class of low people in attendance ( on themselves )” (863). Every day good men are filled with two-fold grief : that they had not (the good fortune ) to be born in an age when good men prospered and that they are now born in the age (dominated by the vile and the wicked" (872). “Bad men delight in the company of the low people, although good people are at their disposal. It is a frivolous whim of those, for whom jewels are easy to have, to wear glass beads” (917). “The misers stay away without even touching Lakşmi, although within reach by their side, looking upon her as their wife (in menses) to be avoided, having an unclean person " ( 921 ). “Attachment to