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The Princes Amarasena and Varasena
145
SARGA THE SEVENTH
Frame story: Life of Pārçvanātha, continued At this juncture the Jain leader (gaṇabhịt) Āryadatta (6. 1352), a follower of Pārçva, undertook to preach, in order to strengthen devotion to the Jina: Wise people become ascetics (yati); those destined to be reborn become (pious) householders (gļhin). If the latter show honor (pūjā) to the Arhats, the tree of their existence becomes fruitful. The pūjā is threefold, consisting either of flowers, unhusked grain (akşata), or hymns of praise (stotra). The 'flower honor' (pușpapūjā) is illustrated by the following story (7):
The adventures of Princes Amarasena and Varasena 1
In the city of Rşabha ruled King Kuça. In his domain lived the merchant Abhayamkara with his wife Kuçalamati. They employed two laborers, of good disposition; one to do house-work, the other to tend cattle. Once these laborers contrasted complainingly their destiny with that of their master: 'We poor wretches, shut out from all human interests, pass fruitlessly thru existence, like a
This story, with variations, in Kathākoça, p. 125 ff.; and in the Gujarăti Pancăkhyånavårttika, nr. 34 (see Hertel, Das Pañcatantra, p. 147, who cites other Kathās, containing the same story). The Adventures of Rup and Bussant,' in Swynnerton's Romantic Tales from the Panjab, pp. 410 ff., shares some features with the present story. Thus, the manner in which the two princes are driven from home by a hateful step-mother; their entrance upon a life of adventure; and their separation from one another. In other respects the stories diverge. Yet more remote is, The two Brothers,' Steel and Temple, Wide-Awake Stories, pp. 138 ff. See also Rouse's Translation of the Jåtakas, vol. iv, p. 117 note.
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