Lilavati Sara

Author(s): Jinratnasuri, H C Bhayani, N M Kansara
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 37

Lilāvati-sära
The soul of Arisimha was then reborn as a snake in a sandalwood grove. Some Cāraṇa sisi recited the Namaskāra-mantra to him, when he was dieing. He was reborn as Purandara, the son of the merchant Purandarayaśas and his wife Purandaradattā.
Reminded thus of his past births, the merchant decided to renounce the world and requested the preceptor for initiating him into the Jaina order.
Canto 10
The Consequences of Addiction to the Pleasures of the Sense of Sight
Before initiating Purandara, the preceptor proceeded to tell him about the powers of the sinse of sight and the consequenses of being addicted ti its pleasures. He said that man's indiscriminating eye, in conjunction with other senses, makes him attached to sense-objects, such as one's wife, courtezans, drama and other entertainments, and thereby leads him far astray. At the request of the king for giving a concrete instance, the the preceptor pointed out the caravancer Dhanadeva, the son of Subhadrā. At Dhapadeva's request he narrated his (i.e. Dhanadeva's) past births as follows (1.13) :
The Story of King Ghapavāhana (14-166)
In the city of Kancanapuri, there ruled king Ghanavāhana with his queen Rambhadevi. The king was too much fond of feasting his eyes on feminine beauty, and to this end the had set up the sculptures of beautlful female forms everywhere in his palace, and he always moved surrounded by beautiful women.
Once actors arrived in the city. They requested the king to witness their performances. The king accepted the invitation gladly. The beauty and art of the main actress overpowerd the king, who showered over her profuse presents. This was repeated for many days. The mioistors were worried at the king's infatuation. After mutual consultation they approached the king. One of them narrated the following anecdote :
(The Sub-story of King Jitasatru and His Two Sons) (44-65)
To decide which of his two sons, Jayasimha and Jayamangala was better suited to become heir-apparent and eventually to succeed him, king Jitaśatru of Vasantapuia asked them in turn a set of test questioas.
First, he called Jayasimha and asked him about his pastimes, his ultimate value in life and the ways and means of enriching the state