Life and Stories of Jaina Savior Parcvanatha

Author(s): Maurice Bloomfield
Publisher: Maurice Bloomfield

Page 85

Kiranavega's conversion and death
71
tained only a fourth part of his wealth (1001). He died in fast, and became a god in the Sāudharma heaven. He will obtain salvation in Videha (990-1014).
Brahman and dish of grits 66 The text proceeds to show that greed, even if only in thought (atilāulyatā-dhyāna), is reprehensible, illustrating by a version of The Brahman in the Potter's Shop': A certain mendicant obtaining a dish of grits, settled to sleep in a temple with the dish at his feet. There he ruminated as follows: " I shall sell these grits and buy a she-goat with the money; sell the goat and her kids and get a milch-cow; sell the milch-cow and get a she-buffalo; sell the she-buffalo and get a noble mare, whose superb colts will procure great wealth. Then I shall build a lovely palace with a couch of state, gather a retinue, invite my relatives, marry the beautiful daughter of a most distinguished Brahman, and have by her a son with all the perfect characteristics. He will gradually grow up, until one day I shall see him in the courtyard crying, whereupon I shall, in a rage, strike my wife with my foot -thus!' Then he saw his dish smashed, his grits scattered--and greatly grieved (1015-1026).
Frame Story: Kiranavega's conversion and death
The Sage thus finished the exposition of the five light vows (aņuvratāni) of the house-holders, which correspond to the great vows (mahāvratāni) of ascetics. Many people were converted. King Kiraṇavega turned from
* See my article, 'On recurring Psychic Motifs in Hindu Fiction, JAOS. Xxxvi. pp. 26 ff. See also Dhammapada Commentary 3. 4; Parker, Village Folk-Tales of Ceylon, vol. i, pp. 197, 304, 306.