Narrative Tale in Jain Literature

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Asiatic Society

Page 88

NARRATIVE TALE IN JAIN LITERATURE
Mahāvīra; and then she ascended again that state vehicle; and having done so, she returned to the place whence she had come.
73
212. Then the Samana, the blessed Mahāvīra, at some time or other, departed from the Sahassambavana garden and the town of Polāsapura; and having done so, he abode elsewhere in a different country.
213. Then that Saddālaputta, the servant of the Samana, devoted himself to mastering the discrimination of the living and lifeless (and so forth, as in § 64).
214. Then that Gosala Mankhaliputta, having been informed of this news, reflected thus: "Truly, Saddālaputta, having eschewed the tenets of the Ajiviyas, has adopted the views of the Nigganthas. So I will go, and having made Saddālaputta, who used to be a servant of the Ajiviya, to eschew the views of the Niggantha ascetics, I will make him adopt once more the views of the Ajiviyas." Having thus reflected, he proceeded, surrounded by a company of his Ajiviya, to where the place of assembly of the Ajïviyas was in the town of Polasapura. Having arrived there, he deposited his begging bowl, and then proceeded with some of his Ājīviyas to where Saddālaputta, the servant of the Samana, was staying.
215. Then that Saddālaputta, the servant of the Samana, observed Gosāla Mankhaliputta, as he was approaching; and having done so, he neither honoured him nor even acknowledge him, but without honouring or acknowledging him, he remained sitting silently.
216. Then that Gosāla Mankhaliputta, on being neither honoured nor even acknowledged by Saddālaputta, the servant of the Samana, began, with the object of obtaining the usual provision of a stool, plank and bedding, to tell the praises of the Samana, the blessed Mahāvīra, and spoke thus to Saddālaputta, the servant of the Samana: "A great Mähaṇa, O beloved of the devas, has arrived here.
217. Then that Saddālaputta, the servant of the Samana, spoke thus to Gosāla Mankhaliputta : "Who is that great Mahaṇa, O beloved of the devas?"
218. Then that Gosala Mankhaliputta spoke thus to Saddālaputta, the servant of the Samana : “The Samaṇa, the blessed Mahāvīra, is the great Māhaṇa."