Narrative Tale in Jain Literature

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Asiatic Society

Page 89

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NARRATIVE TALE IN JAIN LITERATURE
Saddālaputta enquired : "For what reason, O beloved of the devas, do you say that the Samaņa, the blessed Mahāvīra is a great Māhana?"
Gosāla replied: "Truly, Saddālaputta, the Samana, the blessed Mahāvīra, is a great Māhana, who possesses fully formed knowledge and insight, (as above, § 187, down to) adored and worshipped by the three worlds, and (as above, $ 187, down to) who is furnished with a wealth of meritorious works. So, for this reason, o beloved of the devas, I say that the Samana, the blessed Mahāvira, is a great Māhana. Yea, beloved of the devas, a great Guardian. has arrived."
Saddālaputta enquired : “Who is that great Guardian, O beloved of the devas."
Gosāla replied : "The Samana, the blessed Mahāvīra, is the great Guardian."
Saddālgputta again enquired : “For what reason, O beloved of the devas, (as above, down to) the great Guardian?"
Gosāla replied : Truly, O beloved of the devas, the Samana the blessed Mahāvīra, protects and guards, with his staff of the Law, all the numerous living beings that, in the wilderness of the world, are straying or perishing, being devoured or cut asunder or pierced through or mutilated or castrated, and with his own hand brings them to the great fold of the Nirvāņa. It is for this reason, Saddālaputta, that I say, that the Samaņa, the blessed Mahāvīra, is the great Guardian. Yes, O beloved of the devas, a great Guide has arrived."
Saddālaputta enquired : “Who, O beloved of the devas, is that great Guide?"
Gosāla replied: “Saddālaputta, the Samaņa, the blessed Mahāvīra, is the great Guide."
Saddālaputta again enquired : "For what reason?"
Gosāla replied : "Truly, o beloved of the devas, the Samana, the blessed Mahāvira, keeps safely on the path of the Law all those numerous living beings, that, in the wilderness of the world, are straying or perishing (as above, down to) being castrated, and with his own hand brings them straight to the great city of the Nirvana. It is for this reason, Saddālaputta, that I say that the Samana, the