Kathakoca or Treasury of Stories

Author(s): C H Tawney
Publisher: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation New Delhi

Page 41

should interfere with her taking the vows. The signs of pregnancy became more apparent, and the saintly Suvratá said to her: My child, what is the meaning of this?' The princess said: 'Reverend lady, I did not tell you the truth, because I wished to take the vows.' Then she was left in the house of a disciple named Sugupta, who had been fully instructed in the faith.* There her confinement took place, and she gave birth to a son, to whom she gave the name of Yaçobhadra. When he attained the age of eight years, he was dedicated and instructed by the priests. But when he became a young man, he was distracted, longing for the pleasures of the world, and continued in a state of bewilderment, like a mad elephant that recollects the Vindhya forest. He became out of health; he loathed food and loathed his vow, and observed his vow without heart, for
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Honour ye that mighty Jina, who said, 'I have not tasted the pleasure of that love,
By whom Vishnu, Çiva, Brahmá, Indra, and the hosts of gods and men have been conquered.
The demon of love is the origin of all demons, the great demon, tending to produce all crimes,
The evil-minded one by whom the whole world has been overcome.
Accordingly, on a certain occasion, he went and said to his mother: Mother, I cannot keep my vow; I will go to my own kingdom, I will assume the condition of a householder. After I have enjoyed pleasures, I will take a vow in my old age. At present I will rule by the side of my paternal uncle Pundaríka.' His mother said: 'My dear child, then do what I ask:
Though unable to keep your vow, yet out of regard to this my request Remain here twelve years, and after that do what is fitting.
He agreed to do what his mother asked him, and out of regard to her request he remained twelve years; he was detained twelve years also by the lady superior, twelve more by the request of his teacher, and twelve more by the injunction of his spiritual preceptor. So he was detained.
* Gitártha. The Prakrit equivalent of this, giyattha, is explained by Jacobi as ein ausgelernter Mönch.