Narrative Tale in Jain Literature

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Asiatic Society

Page 86

NARRATIVE TALE IN JAIN LITERATURE
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only that he limited himself to a treasure of one kror measures of gold deposited in a safe place, a capital of one kror measures of gold put out on interest, a well-stocked estate of the value of one kror measures of gold, and one herd consisting of ten thousand head of cattle; all this should be related, as in 88 13-58, down to where it is said that) he praised and worshipped the Samana, the blessed Mahāvira; and having done so, he returned, to where the town of Polāsapura was. Having returned, and walking right through the midst of the town of Polāsapura, he came to where his wife Aggimittā was in his house; and having done so, he spoke thus to his wife Aggimittā : “Truly, O beloved of the devas, the Samaņa, the blessed Mahāvīra (as above § 9 down to) has arrived on a visit; so now do thou go and praise and (as above, § 9, down to) wait on the Samana, the blessed Mahāvīra, and in his presence take on thyself the twelvefold law of a householder which consists of the five lesser vows and the seven disciplinary vows."
205. Then that wife of his, Aggimittā, saying "so be it," respectfully accepted that direction of Saddālaputta, who was now a servant of the Samana.
206. Then that Saddālaputta, the servant of the Samana, called his domestic servants; and having done so, he spoke to them thus : “Be quick, o beloved of the devas, and let the state vehicle be yoked by skiful men, with a pair of excellent young bulls, matching each other in hoofs, tails and symmetrically marked horns, adorned with neck-ropes set with golden tassels, controlled with a bridle attached to their head-ropes of cotton thread intertwined with gold and provided with silver bells. and hung with garlands made of blue lotuses; and having been thus yoked, let it be brought here, hung round with a network of golden bells and various kinds of jewels, provided with a suitable, straight, excellent, well made and well fixed pole of good wood and altogether furnished with an excellent equipment. When this is done, bring back word to me that my order is carried out."
207. Then those domestic servants (as above, S 206, down to) brought back word that his order was carried out.