Book Title: Life and Stories of Jaina Savior Parcvanatha
Author(s): Maurice Bloomfield
Publisher: Maurice Bloomfield

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Page 179
________________ The four friends on the treasure island 165 foolishly passed his time (796). Cāru, having filled a vessel full of jewels, wished to depart, and called upon his friends to return, if they had gained their ends. Yogya was unwilling to leave the island, acknowledged regretfully that he had neglected to attend sufficiently to business, and begged Cāru to see to it that he also should accumulate a real fortune; then he would go with him. Hitajña showed the glass and other trifles which he had accumulated to Cāru. Cāru reproved him, and taught him how to appraise jewels. Thus he also managed to get some wealth, and followed Cāru (806). Mūdha, when asked by Cāru, replied petulantly that he had no means with which to go. Cāru offered him capital wherewith to do business, so that he might be able to get away. But Mūdha said that his home was where he was enjoying himself; 41 that he was immersed in all sorts of pleasures, and engrossed with spectacles, and that he would stay just where he was (873). The allegory is explained: The city of Vasantapura represents the vulgar herd. The four friends are yati *Ascetic,'; çrāddha, “Faithful’; bhadraka 42 • Good '; and mithyādrsti, False-sight.' The jewel-isle is mortal existence; the crossing of the sea is the entrance of the soul into a womb; the arrival by ship on the island is the attainment to the position of mortal man, owing to good karma. Cāru, who filled his ship with the five different kinds of jewels, representing the planting in himself of submission to the five vows on the part of the ascetic (yati), the fifth being brahma.48 Yogya's desire for wealth, which resulted in the acquisition of but little, represents * Ubi bene ibi patria. • Also in 2. 190. * Comm.: brahmacaryam, or chastity.

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