________________
84
brothers into his house. They said to him : Brother, our behaviour was unseemly; so, as you are a mine of virtue, pardon our fault.' Then Dhanya gave his brothers wealth, and sent them away to another city, where by his might they all became very rich. Then Dhanya made over all the care of his house to his father and mother, and lived happily with his wives. One day Subhadrá came to him weeping. Dhanya said: 'Fair one, why are you weeping ?' She said : My beloved brother Çálibhadra has been receiving religious teaching from the hermit Dharmaghosha, and has become agitated in mind. He is desirous of undertaking a course of asceticism, but my mother said to him: “My darling boy, asceticism is difficult, and you are delicately nurtured ; if you are resolved on a life of this kind, leave off luxuries gradually, in order that your body may grow accustomed to it.” Accordingly, following the advice of my mother, he reduces his indulgences every day. Çálibhadra has renounced food, ornaments, beds, unguents, and similar luxuries, and is practising the áchámla* penance; he sleeps on the ground with only one garment on; he will no doubt immediately take the vow of a monk. Know that this is the cause of my grief.' When Dhanya heard this he laughed, and said: "Çálibhadra must be a coward if he cannot at once take upon himself the burden of self-restraint.' Then Somaçrí said : “My lord, he is not a coward, but tender; he is gradually accustoming his body to difficult asceticism.' Dhanya replied: "What is difficult to resolute men ?' Then Subhadrá smiled, and said: “If this is not difficult, then why do you also not do it?' Dhanya said : “If you tell me to adopt a life of religion I will do it at once, and if I do not I will pay a penalty.' Then they said: 'If you will adopt a life of self-restraint, we also will take a vow at the feet of the Tírthankara.' Now, it happened that at that very time Çrívíra, who surpassed in attractiveness all the other Jinas, arrived in that
* Achámla means the eating of dry food simply moistened or boiled in water. See Dr. Hoernle's paper in the Indian Antiquary for August, 1890, note 31.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org