________________ 86-93 ] English Translation 15 with his eyes the moon again and again and the gem over and over. (86). While he was observing it in that way, as his ill--luck would have it, there slipped from the palm of his hand into the sea that extremely delicate priceless gem. (87). Was it possible for him to catch hold of the gem, the crest-.gem of gems, when it had fallen into the sea however carefully he made a search for it ? (88). Similarly, a living being, being entirely subjected to a lot of mistakes, loses in a moment the human life which he obtains with considerable difficulty after hundreds of transmigrations. (89). Blessed and virtuous, indeed, are those who cherish the Religion of the Jina in their heart. It is their human life that is praised as endowed with fruit in this world" (90). Having heard this sermon, the Yaksa female accepted the Faith, while the prince took the initiation to the vow of the monks, so hard to practise, in the presence of the preceptor.(91). The Prince studied from the revered old: preceptor the Fourteen Parvas, and practising hard penance, he moved in the company. of his parents. (92). All the three-the prince and his parents-observed the life of monks, and, as a result, went to the Mandira
