Narrative Tale in Jain Literature

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Asiatic Society

Page 83

68
NARRATIVE TALE IN JAIN LITERATURE
him." Having thus reflected, he bathed (as above 810, down to), performed precautionary rites, put on a clean state dress, adorned his person with a small number of costly jewels; and then, surrounded by a dense circle of attendant people, he came out of this house. Having done so, he walked right through the midst of the town of Polāsapura, and then proceeded to where the Samana, the blessed Mahāvīra, was staying in the garden Sahassambavana. Having arrived there, he solemly circumambulated him three times from the left to the right; and having done so, he praised and worshipped him, and (as above $ 10. down to) stood waiting on him.
191. Then the Samana, the blessed Mahāvira, expounded the Law to Saddālaputta, the servant of the Ajīviya, and to that right great company, which had come out to hear him, (as above, § 117 down to where it is said that) the sermon was finished.
192. Then the Samaņa, the blessed Mahāvīra, addressing Saddālaputta, the servant of the Ājīviya, spoke to him thus : "Surely, Saddālaputta, the servant of the Ājiviya, spoke to him thus : "Surely, Saddālaputta, yesterday at the time of the midday hour, having gone to where the little grove of Asoga trees is, thou wast living (and so forth, as in & 185). Then there appreared a certain deva before thee. Then that deva, standing in mid-air, spoke thus : “ "O ho, Saddālaputta,” ” (here everthing is to be related exactly as before, SS 187, 188, down to where it is said) “ “I shall wait on him" ". Surely, Saddālaputta, this account is correct?"
Saddālaputta, replied : Yes, it is." I
Mahāvīra continued : “Truly Saddālaputta, this was not said by that deva with reference to Gisāla Mankhaliputta."
193. Then to that Saddālaputta, the servant of the Ājīviya, on being thus spoken to by the Samaņa the blessed Mahāvīra, there occurred the following inward (etc. as in s 66) reflection : "This Samana, the blessed Mahavira, is the great Māhana who possesses fully formed knowledge and insight, and (as above, $ 187, down to) who is furnished with a wealth of meritorious works. Truly, therefore, it is better for me, having praised and worshipped the Samana,