Kurmastakadvyam

Author(s): Bhojdev Maharaj
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 40

Two Prakrit Poems At Dhar Translation....
19
19. He alone, in fact, carries the burden which is not understood as such by
others. If the burden is carried out like an ordinary person even if it is
completely carried out, it is as good as not carried out. 20. Birth is dependent on fate bu good ideas depend on man. As regards
determination or preseverence (adhyavasāya) see ! how commendable
is the determination of the Tortoise ! 21. O Fate, you ridicule-mock at-human effort-purusa here must be
understood as puruşakāra (=human effort)-What do you lose in ridiculing (human effort) ? [Note : Compare the expression किं जाइ तुह (विडंबेउं) with 'काय जाते तुझे' in Marathi]. See, how you ave fashioned the Tortoise and how are his
deeds! 22. The Tortoise supported the ‘sinking' earth. [With reference to this peat)
people say : It (the Tortoise) is, as it were, ashamed ! [For] it conceals its limbs within its shell !
Note :'715' (Apabhramśa) is used to convey the sense of $a (361874). 23. It is not possible to know the determination of people here on earth.
In the case of the Tortoise, however, its form is the same as well as its
determination remains the same forever! 24. The Tortoise serves as a standard of comparison-as an insance of
comparing for persons who are extremely slow in walking or moving about (2140 farfan) and for a firm determination (Qaf ny=249414 :). In the Tortoise, look ! we find that both these qualities are ever present.
(lit. till the Universal destruction). 25. Look ! How can one find a comparison for the Tortoise of unequalled
(matchless, unsurpassed) behaviour ? For none like him was born
(before in the past), is seen (today) nor will be born (in future). 26. With a different intention, o luckless Fate, you created that Tortoise !
But contrary to it its behaviour turned to be altogether different ! 27. The form (āyāra, Sk. ākāra) or way of living (āyāra : ācāra) was fixed
and O Fate, you assigned to it very slow gait ! But by the sheer determination of the Tortoise 'eveything fell on your head'! i.e. you got all the blame ! [Note : The poet of this gāthā most probably wants to suggest the divinity of this Tortoise.)