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BOOK 2, LECTURE 6.
409
A wise monk should not say: we get alms (from this householder) or we do not; but he should improve his chances for final liberation'. (32)
A monk should conform himself to these opinions taught by the Ginas, and wander about till he reaches final liberation. (33)
Thus I say.
SIXTH LECTURE,
CALLED
ÂRDRAKA 2.
Gosula. Listen, Årdraka , to what (Mahâvira) has done. At first he wandered about as a single monk : but now he has surrounded himself by many monks, and teaches every one of them the Law at length. (1)
1 Santimaggam ka vû haệ= sântimârgam ka vrimha yêt.
2 The commentators relate a romantic story about prince Ardraka, which need not be repeated here. Suffice it to say that he became monk, and after many adventures held the disputation which forms the subject of our lecture. After having vanquished his opponents, he was about to join Mahâvîra, when a newly-tamed elephant broke his chain, rushed on him, but just in front of him went down on his knees and paid him reverence. King Srênika witnessed this scene, and wondered how the elephant could have broken his chains. Ardraka replied that it was still more strange that a man could break the fetters which worldliness had fastened upon him. The whole story must be very old, for it is epitomised in ten gâthâs by the author of the Niryukti.—The names of the opponents not stated in the text of the verses are supplied from the commentaries.
s This name is spelt either Ardra or Ardraka, Adda in Prâkrit.
