Narrative Tale in Jain Literature

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Asiatic Society

Page 84

NARRATIVE TALE IN JAIN LITERATURE
the blessed Mahāvīra, to hospitably invite him to a standing provision of stool, plank and bedding." Having thus reflected, he instantly rose up, and then praised and worshipped the Samana, the blessed Mahāvīra; and having done so, he spoke to him thus: "Truly Reverend Sir, I possess, outside the town of Polasapura, five hundred potter shops, There do you live in the enjoyment from me of a standing povision of stool, plank and bedding."
194. Then the Samaņa, the blessed Mahāvīra, accepted that offer of Saddālaputta, the servant of the Ajiviya, and lived in the five hundred potter shops of Saddālaputta, the servant of the Ajiviya, in the enjoyment of a standing provision of stool, plank and bedding.
195. Then that Saddälaputta, the servant of the Ājïiya, at some time or other, brought out his air-dried potter's ware from within his workshops; and having done so, he placed them in the heat of the sun.
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196. Then the Samana, the blessed Mahāvīra, spoke thus to Saddālaputta, the servant of the Ajiviya : "Saddālaputta, this potter's ware, how is it made?"
197. Then that Saddālaputta, the servant of the Ājīviya, spoke thus to the Samana, the blessed Mahāvīra : "This ware Reverend Sir, at the first is clay, after that it is kneaded with water, and then it is mixed well together with ashes dung. then it is placed on the wheel; and finally many bowls and (as above, § 184, down to) jars of various sizes are made."
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198. Then the Samana the blessed Mahāvīra, spoke thus to Suddālaputta, the servant of the Ājīviya : "Saddālaputta, this potter's ware, is it made by dint of exertion and (as above, § 166, down to) manly strength; or on the other hand, is it made without exertion and (as above, § 166, down to) manly strength?"
199. Then that Saddālaputta, the servant of the Ajiviya, spoke thus to the Samana the blessed Mahāvīra : "Reverend Sir, it is made without exertion and (as above, § 166, down to) manly strength; for there is no such thing as exertion and (as above, § 166, down to) manly strength, but all things are unalterably fixed."
200. Then the Samana, the blessed Mahāvīra, spoke thus to Sadālaputta, the servant of the Ajiviya: