________________
S. T. Nimkar
184. And, O King, with their sad faces hanging down (in shame)
they said, "Sir (or Bhattaputra i. e. minister's son ?) all
those companions of yours were devoured by Death. 185. What can be done, tbat due to this wretched fate even
good people like you in this world meet with calamities,
worthy of people devoid of merit. 186. So please go ahead with your work); spirited men easily
get (back) iheir own glory again; it is as the waning moon
also gets the same glory of his again”. 187. Thus, O King, hearing these words, terrible like the strik
ing bolt, I dissuaded myself somehow from the thoughts.
of death (lit. turned myself back from the jaws of death). 188. I thought, “though companions are no more, nor the desired
undertaking, not again that activity of mine and not also
my master's honour (is upheld) and not glory (achieved). 189. Even the grief of the death of my companions does not so
much pain my heart as does (the fact that) all my effort for (the accomplishment of my heart's desire (has) gone
in vain..: 190. Quite different are those men who succeed in their masters"
task, who resolutely carrry out what they have started for without relenting (lit. being lazy) and who bear the burden
that they have (once) lifted. 191. How can such important undertakings of the king be
accomplished by men like me devoid of wisdom (or
' knowledge of polity), 'bravery, intelligence and good luck." 192. Stili, considering in my mind the good and bad things (or
happiness and misery, acc. to com.) of the worldly life, I
agreed to what the boatmen had said. 193. Who gets (helpful) advice from even village-cowherds
in difficult times? For those (on the point of) drowning, even grass blades (floating on surface) serve as support to
catch (or to cling to). 194. So going to my camp let me prepare myself to resolve on
accomplishing the task on hand with other friends of
mine.”
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
