Narrative Tale in Jain Literature

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Asiatic Society

Page 56

NARRATIVE TALE IN JAIN LITERATURE
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informed of this news, reflected thus : "Truly the Samana (as above, 82, down to) is staying here on a visit; this is a most auspicious event; so I will go and (as above, down to) wait on him." Having thus reflected, he bathed, put on a fine state dress, and adorned his person with a small number of costly jewels. Having done so, he came out of his house; and then he went out of the city of Vāniyagāma, walking right through the midst of it, on foot, at a leisurely pace, with an umbrella garlanded with korinţa flowers being carried over him, and surrounded by a dense circle of attendant people. Having done so, he proceeded to the Düipalāsa cheïya where the Samana, the blessed Mahāvīra, was staying. Having arrived there, he solemnly circumambulated him three times from the left to the right, 17 and having done so, he praised and worshipped him and (as above, 82, down to) stood waiting on him.
11. Then the Samana, the blessed Mahāvīra, expounded the Law to the householder Ananda and to the right great company which had come with him (Here the sermon of the Law should be supplied). Then the company of people went home again, and the king also went away.
12. Then the householder Ānanda, having listened and attended to the sermon of the Law, in the presence of the Samana the blessed Mahāvīra, and being happy and pleased (and so forth, down to) spoke thus : "I believe, Reverend Sir, in the Niggantha doctrine; I am convinced Reverend Sir, of the Niggantha doctrine; I am delighted, Reverend Sir, with the Niggantha doctrine; it is so, Reverend Sir; it is exactly so, Reverend Sir; it is true, Reverend Sir; it is what I desire, Reverend Sir; it is what I accept. Reverend Sir; It is what I desire and accept, Reverend Sir; it is really so as you have declared it. Still though acknowledging this, many kings princes, nobles governors, mayors bankers, merchants and others have, in your presence, o beloved of the devas, submitted to the tonsure, renounced the life of a householder, and entered the monastic state, I cannot do the same and, submitting to the tonsure, (as above, down to) enter the monastic state. But I will in your presence, O beloved of the devas, take on myself the twelve fold law of the householder, which consists of the five lesser