Book Title: Kathakoca or Treasury of Stories
Author(s): C H Tawney
Publisher: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation New Delhi

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Page 216
________________ 190 wrong notion. Henceforth I admit that everyone's lot is determined by his own actions.' Then King Támrachúḍa said to the Vidyadhara: 'My lord, with what curiosity was it that you came here, having assumed such a shape?' Then the Vidyádhara told him the whole story from the beginning to the end. The king was delighted when he heard it. Then the Vidyádhara said to the king: 'King, permit me to return to my own city.' The king answered: 'You must not go until you and your retinue have feasted in my house.' The Vidyadhara accepted the king's proposal. Then the king regaled that prince of the Vidyadharas with heavenly baths, food, clothes, ornaments, perfumes and other things, and said to his daughter: 'My dear child, let me see you again at some other time.' When he had said this, he dismissed them to their city. Then the Vidyadhara produced a heavenly chariot. He mounted it, and set out with his wife, and so went to his city. There much rejoicing at his return took place. Then he made a triumphal entry into the city with great pomp. Kanakaratha reached his palace, and in the society of Madanamanjarí enjoyed the pleasures of the Vidyadharas. Subsequently, one day the keeper of the public park came with his palms joined, and said to King Kanakaratha : 'King, you are fortunate; for to-day the saint Dharmaghosha, surrounded by many disciples, has arrived in the delightful park.' When he heard that from the keeper of the public park, he was pleased, and gave him a reward. Then he went with great pomp to worship the sage, accompanied by Madanamanjarí. He reached the park, and having there adored the spiritual teacher, he listened to his sermon. The teacher said: 'O Vidyádhara, the state of a man is hard to obtain. Now that you have obtained it, you must make an effort in the matter of religion. For enjoyments, glory, blessedness, fortune, beauty, salvation, all these things are obtained by merit. Therefore, king, knowing this, you must exert yourself in the way of religion in order to obtain happiness that will bear fruit.' When the king heard this, he asked about his former life. He Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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