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OCTOBER, 1971
houseless monk. The next morning my pains had vanished. Then I took leave of my relatives and became a monk."
71
It is interesting to note here that the sage Anathi also explained to the king about another kind of protection. He referred to those monks who after being initiated did not adhere to the code of asceticism. Impeaching the laxity of character of such persons he said:
"But there is still another want of protection, O king, how some easily discouraged men go astray after having adopted the Law of the Nirgranthas. He is empty like a clenched fist, an uncoined false kārsāpana, or a piece of glass resembling turquoise.
"He who practices divination from bodily marks and dreams, who is well versed in augury and superstitious rites, who gains a sinful living by practising magic will have no refuge at the time of retribution.
"He who accepts forbidden alms, viz., such food as he himself asks for, as has been bought for his sake, or as he gets regularly who like fire devours everything, will go to hell from here, after having sinned."
Thus condemning the so-called lax monks, the sage Anathi clearly admonishes the king thus: "A wise man who hears this discourse and instruction full of precious wisdom and who discards every path of the wicked, should walk the road of the great Nirgrantha."
King Srenika was extremely pleased. With folded hands, expressing his gratitude to sage Anathi the king said: "You have verily explained to me, shown to me what it is to be without protection. You have made the best use of human birth, you have made a true gain, O great sage, you are a protector of mankind and of your relations, for you have entered the path of the best Jinas. O ascetic, I ask you to forgive me. I desire you to put me right. That by asking you, I have disturbed your meditation and that I invited you to enjoy pleasures all this you must forgive me."
The concluding verse reads: "When the lion of kings had thus, with the greatest devotion, praised the lion of houseless monks, he together with his wives, servants and relations became a staunch believer in the Law, with a pure mind."
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