Book Title: Indian Antiquary Vol 32
Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

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Page 131
________________ MARCH, 1903.) THE LEGEND OF KUNJARAKARNA. 125 Presto! Gone! Without lingering on the way they came to Bodhiobitta, the holy abode of Bhatara-Vairochana. Parnavijaya hastened to pay homage to the Lord. Also the Vidyadharas and Vidyadharts paid homage to the Lord; in the first place Kusumagandhavati and afterwards the Vidyadharas and Vidyadharis, who gave proofs of their talents ; they played and sang; the instruments, which have to be beaten, resounded with a deafening noise ; Gamělans and Bondjingo re-echoed, Buranoahs and so forth, While homage was being paid to the Lord, all the gods came to honour Vairdchana, namely, Indra, Yama, Varuna, Kavēra, Vairavana ; all greeted the Lord with reverence. Then Yamadhipati asked the Lord :-"O Lord and Master! What is the reason that Parnavijaya is by you recalled to life? Surely it was originally intended that he should be cooked a hundred years in the cauldron. Now, indeed, has it lasted a shorter time. What is the meaning of it? Be so good as to explain it to me, Master." «O my son Bhatara-YamAdhipati, and all you foar guardians of the quarters; it is very good of you that you make free to ask for the reason of what has happened to Parnavijaya. Now listen carefully. There is a place called Bhomimandala. There lived a man who possessed much silver, gold, precious stones, and servants. His name was Xaladara. He did good works ; be set ap fountain-basins, resting-places for travellers and flat stones to sit upon. He had an architect, named Kirnagata, who was his helper in doing good works. He assisted him in deeds of love. There was another place, called Tapalinada. There dwelt a man who was very poor and possessed neither child nor worldly goods, called Utsahadharma; he and his wife. The name of his beloved wife was Budharma. They lived in very straightened ciroumstances, but were gentle, pious, loving in their words, and friendly in their bearing. They were extraordinarily charitable, for they had heard the Sacred Law. Therefore they joined in doing good works; they never stretched forth their hands without thereby giving alms each time to the passers-by ; what they together did was done with gentleness, piety, loving words, and friendly bearing. Now it 80 happened that they did good works near to the place where Maladara performed good works. This gave occasion to Maladara to scold Utsahadharma, saying Hey, you, Utsahadharma ! You wicked, miserable wretch! Why do you practise your charity near the place where I perform my good deeds ? You are a very grease-patch, a poor creature. The good deeds which you do are not worth a farthing. Therefore, take care to observe me when I accomplish good deeds. I slaughter oxen, cows, buffaloes; I entertain with palm-wine and rice, whereof numbers of men, as many As eat of it, are satisfied. But you, wretch, you imagine yourself to be somebody and able to vie with me in good works. Do you consider it right, fellow ! to be so shameless as to look at me ? Go away, right away! Sheer off from here.'- Thus spake Maladara, scolding Utsahadharms. Then said Utalhadharma to his beloved wife :-'O my younger sister Sudharma 1 little mother! What is to be done, my lass? Maladars would drive me away, and commands you to leave me, dear wife!' "His wife answered :- O elder brother Utsahadharma; where shall I find comfort except in my love for you? What else would be able to inspire une with attachment ? I have no children, no gold, 'no possessions. What do you think, if you were once to take up a monk's life, and were to seek refuge in a monastery ? Come ; let us escape to the wilderness, into the bush, and practise naceticism. Then shall we, in future, no more be treated as now.' .' "Her truo fellow angwered :- Ah younger sister, that is very well thought of. Come, little mother, let us put our plan into execution. Then they departed and practised asceticism. There is a certain mountain called Barvaphals; there it was that they practised asceticism, and made s rosting-place to receive guests. All passers-by who songht place of refuge, praised their goodness aloud. The people, whether they departed, or whether they stayed the night, were by their

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