Jain Journal 1973 01

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

Page 23

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JAIN JOURNAL
flesh, a bare structure of bones, rattling when (the monk) moved, weak with arteries and veins succinctly visible. He could move or stand only by dint of the power of the spirit. He became so weak that after speaking, or in the course of speaking, or when he thought that he would have to speak, he had a weakness and a feeling of pain. Like a cart laden with (dry) leaves, sesamum or any other dry object, or a cart laden with Eranda twigs, or a cart laden with charcoal, when such a cart, with the objects on it wholly dried up, moves the objects (on it) make a rattling sound, and so they do even when the cart is standing still ; in the same manner, when the monk Skandaka moved, his bones rattled, as they did even when he stood still. But he was enriched through penances. His flesh and blood had no doubt been reduced, but like fire covered with ashes, he looked exceedingly graceful because of his penances and spiritual powers, shining brilliantly.
In that period, at that time, congregation assembled in the city of Rajagrha ... till people dispersed. After this, one night, at the last quarter, as monk Skandaka was keeping a spiritual vigil performing dharma-jāgaraņā, he had in mind such thought ... till resolve :
I have, because of penances, become... till weak, with arteries and veins succinctly visible. I move and stand only by the power of my spirit ... till feel pain and weakness, ... till I rattle as I move, I rattle as I stand. (But) upto now, I have endeavour, activity, strength, energy and self-exertion, ... till my spiritual teacher and spiritual guide, Sramana Bhagavan Mahavira, lives on this earth like a mighty elephant, it is worthy of me that, as this night is lifted up, at day-break, when the sun, who helps the lotuses to blossom, who shines red like the red Ašoka flower, red like the Kimśuka flower, or the beak of the parrot, or the red half of Guñjā fruit, who helps, the cluster of lotuses to open, who holds a thousand rays, brilliant with glow, I go to Sramana Bhagavan Mahavira, and pay homage and obeisance, ... till worship him, and with his permission, courting by self the five Great Vows, forgiving and being forgiven by the monks, I go slowly up, in the company of capable senior monks, atop Mount Vipula, which has the hue of the clouds, and on which gods descend, whereon I select a slab of stone, spread my last darbha bed, rid my soul of all passions, cut down bondage of karma, give up all intake of food and water, and lie in wait, without hankering for death fixed in pădapopagamana (tree-like) end.
Having decided in this manner, the next day, at dawn ... till the sun was brilliant in its glow, (monk Skandaka) came to the place where Sramana Bhagavan Mahavira was ... till worshipped him.