Jain Journal 1970 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 47

OCTOBER, 1970
Vasudeva himself with samkha, cakra gadā and padma. His piety and fame shine with double brilliancy like milk in a conch shell.
91
In chapter 12 the mendicants have been said to be like grounds in which seeds of donations are sown in the hope of obtaining merit as return. It has been said that the mendicants with right conduct are the proper persons to receive alms, be their castes high or low-the peasants sow seeds in both high and low lands-there is no guarantee that the high land is likely to bring better return than the low one. The Brahmins however do not take the hint and instead of offering alms to Harikesa, they oppress him. Bhadra cautions them that their deed is just like digging rocks with nails, eating iron-balls or kicking fire because the mendicant here is "asiviso uggatavo mahesi" and those oppresing him are just like a swarm of moths rushing to fire.
The image of an elephant sinking in quagmire, seeing ground but unable to reach it is perfect. It is an inevitable expression-it is impossible to find its equivalent which may replace it with advantage. The image renders tangible the import of Duryodhana's confession in the Mahabharata "jānāmi dharmam naca me pravṛttih". In the same chapter the pleasures of senses abandoning a spent-up man have been compared with birds deserting a tree the fruits of which have been exhausted. The counterpart of this image occurs at 32/10 where desires gnawing at a strong man have been said to be like birds swarming upon a tree with fruits.
In chapter 14 Vasisthi cautions her husband against the difficulties of denying nature. He may feel forlorn and weary like an old goose swimming against the current. But inspite of her admonitions her husband and children break though the snares of worldly pleasures like heron and geese flying through air breaking the net. In chapter 19 the difficulties of ascetic life are again enumerated. Leading an ascetic life is just like swimming against the current. It is like swimming across the sea. Self control is like a mouthful of sand, dry, insipid. For a youngman to practise austerities is like walking on the edge of a sword or swallowing burning fire. The images are numerous. In the white heat of creative energy they come crowding and jostle for expression till at last they seem to emanate in a rapid succession through a jet opening.
It is remarkable that these images have not been used for the sake of decoration-they are purely functional. They make the expression effective and bring it nearer perfection. Such finished and effective expression is the prerequisite of the poetry of all times.