Jain Journal 1973 04

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

Page 52

210
JAIN JOURNAL
Quoth, “Pururaba were ye in the past, wherefrom reached ye heaven first "And on completion of life there, slipped ye, ill-witted Marici to be, 199 “Then polluted ye the right path, to propagate a false one, “Profaning the words of Brisabha, thou wast born again and again. 200 "Beguiled, due to accumulated sins, with many a birth, age and death, “Parted ye from what was wholesome to court the evil line. 201 “And suffered ye miseries deep, due to mighty impieties, “To be born, unlimited times, in the species of sub-humanity, 202 “It was some wholesome cause that gave ye Visvanandi's life, "And as Tripristha were born again due to piety and restraint. 203 “From this life on, when thou wilt be born in life ten, “Will ye be Tirthankara last, so said Tirthankara Sridhara to me. 204 “Oh Wise ! Desist now from path wrong thát pushes ye in wilderness “Of worldly life, to court one wholesome to thee, 205 “Coveteth ye liberation, and a place at the crest of sphere, “Then fixeth ye, with devotion, to Agamas and objects like that.” 206
Holding the counsel in his heart, with head lowered in humility, Moved the lion round and round, holding the monks in dignity, 207 Then with the time ripening, acquired he power to be fixed in truth, With mind balanced, courted he the vows of the devout. 208 Kindness replaced cruelty in him at the words of the monk,Unless time is propitious, who can eliminate a terrible foe ? 209 With faith-deluding karma ended, his fierceness was tranquilised And like an actor, soon he stood becalmed and still, 210 Courted he not other vow, except one to be on fast, For, food he had none save meat, what an act of bravery ! 211 This vow he fulfilled, without break at the cost of his life dear, The new prowess a success, put an end to his prowess old. 212 By nature denigens of Mahatamahprabha may court cessation, No wonder, the king of beasts acquired vision right to do the same. 213 Covetous of liberation, the hero uprooted from conduct evils all, To plant himself in righteousness, remained for ever on fast. 214 As per Canons, goes not a beast beyond restraint-non-restraint, *This barred him, else liberated would he be', -people said. 215 As gold heated in fire becomes cold when placed in water, So his prowess fired by 'cruelty had gone out for ever. 216 'Foe of beasts-this epithet lost sense, as rooted was he in kindness, Like dependents who often imbibe virtues of master they serve, 217 His body looked picture-like, his mind too was calm, Never generating fear in others, such is merit of kindness, 218 Fixed in vow, with concentration of mind, died the lion, To be born in Saudharma-kalpa, Singhaketu his name. 219