Mahanisiha Studies And Edition In Germany

Author(s): Chandrabhal Tripathi
Publisher: Chandrabhal Tripathi

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Chandrabhal Tripathi
ARK.III.902a (gito vijñāta-kṛtyäkṛtya-lakṣaṇo 'rtho yena sa g.), both of these denoting "a learned, an experienced monk".
Sec.1, vss.1*-47*. Legend of Nandisena.
The monk Nandiseņa wants to commit suicide but is prevented therefrom twice by a caraṇa-muni who appears before him in the sky. He gives away his paraphernalia of a monk to his teacher and proceeds to a foreign place. Here, while entering the house of a harlot, he bids the usual greeting dharma-labha, responded by the lady with arthalabha. Hence he produces much money which he presents her. Having taken the vow not to partake of any food or drink each day before he has converted ten persons to Jainism, he starts living with the harlot. After a while he gets fed up with his way of life and returns to his teacher Dummuha, who blames him for having sold the teachings for the sake of food etc. Nandiseņa is convinced of his fault, repents (vss.34-5) and begins a hard penance, at the end of which he is to attain mokṣa.
Finally (vss.41ff.), the rule is again emphasised that a monk should give back all his paraphernalia to the teacher if he wants to leave the area of Guru's Rule.
Sec.2, vss.48-73. Legend of Asada.
The monk Asaḍa, a pupil of Bhūikkha, thinks that through tapas the teacher can be pleased - and suicide is apparently a hard tapas - and intends to commit suicide, like Nandisena. But he is not prepared for such a heavy tapas. He thinks of reporting to his teacher that a devată had advised him not to commit suicide but to hand over his paraphernalia to the teacher, lead a pleasant life and only afterwards to practice hard asceticism. He however recognises that even such thoughts are sinful and - without ālocană - decides himself for a heavy penance which he then undergoes. Yet through this self-decision he commits a grave sin which keeps him bound to the samsara.
Sec.3a, vss.74*-77*. Does one feel better when no sin is committed or when, after commiting a sin, it has been repented? Answer: Even the mere consideration of the second possibility is not allowed.
Sec.3b, vss.78*-81*. One should apply all his energy to perform the repentance, otherwise one would fall into lower existences and would be reborn as an animal or in the hell.