Narrative Tale in Jain Literature

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Asiatic Society

Page 87

NARRATIVE TALE IN JAIN LITERATURE
208. Then that wife of his, Aggimittä, having bathed (as above, 810, down to), performed precautionary rites, put on a clean state dress, and adorned her person with a small number of costly jewels, proceeded, surrounded by a circle of maid-servants, to ascend the state vehicle; and having done so, she drove out of the town of Polāsapura, passing right the through the midst of it, and went to where the Sahassamavana garden was. Having arrived there, she descended from the state vehicle, and then, still surrounded by the circle of her maid-servents, she advanced to where the Samaņa, the blessed. Mahāvīra, was staying. Having done so, she circumambulated him three times and praised and worshipped him; and then remaining at a distance, not too near nor too far from him, (and so forth, down to) joining the palms of her hands in a suppliant manner, she stood devoutly waiting on him.
209. Then the Samaņa, the blessed Mahāvīra, preached the Law to Aggimittā and to that right great company (and so forth, as in g 11).
210. Then that wife of his, Aggimittä, having listened and attended to the Law, in the presence of the Samana the blessed Mahāvira, being now happy and pleased. praised and worshipped the Samana, the blessed Mahāvīra; and having done so, she spoke to him thus : "I believe, Reverend Sir, the Niggantha doctrine (as above, & 12, down to) it is so as you have declared it. Still though, admitting this, many people of the Ugga and Bhoga (and other) castes have in your presence, o beloved of the devas, (as above, $ 12, down to) entered into the monastic state, yet I cannot do the same, and, in your presence, O beloved of the devas, submitting to the tonsure, (as above, 812; down to) enter the monastic state. But I will, in your presence, O beloved of the devas, take on myself the twelvefold law of a householder, which consists of the five lesser vows and the seven disciplinary vows. May it so please you, O beloved of the devas; do not deny me!"
211. Then that wife of his, Aggimittā, in the presence of the Samana the blessed Mahāvīra, took on herself the twelvefold law of a Sāvaga, consisting of the five lesser vows and the seven disciplinary vows; and having done so, she praised and worshipped the Samana, the blessed