Mahanisiha Studies And Edition In Germany

Author(s): Chandrabhal Tripathi
Publisher: Chandrabhal Tripathi

Page 36

36
Chandrabhal Tripathi
Verses 338-47 seem to deal with the troubles and dangers one undergoes to attain a woman. If he is told to remain firm in the dharma, he answers that he is unable to do so. These "tender persons" do not realize that through exertion, and only through exertion, one can attain all, i.e. salvation (vss.348-52). A sub-section about the preeminence of the Tirthankaras follows (vss.353-60). The question of Goyama in vs.361 is: can each and everyone attain salvation through exertion? The answer of Mahāvīra is something like this (some points remain unclear): Even in the worldly affairs everyone can not perform the same task and in same proportions as somebody else would. He who does not perform austerities in a single existence falls down in bad existences (vss.362-73). Now follows the parable mentioned above: A tortoise pursued by various aquatic animals escapes them narrowly, leaves the ocean somehow and reaches a wonderful lotus pond; it decides to fetch also its relatives which are found with difficulty; but they do not find the nice pond again (vss.374-85).
Sec.9, vss.386-411. Sayings. Verses in the āryā metre containing general teachings. They deal with insecurity of life, the infinity of existences (culasīj-joņi-lakkha-) till now lived, and the pains and sorrows experienced in them, exemplified through similes, etc. [Many vss. have their parallels in Dharmadāsa-gani's Upadeśa-māla.)