Narrative Tale in Jain Literature

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Asiatic Society

Page 91

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NARRATIVE TALE IN JAIN LITERATURE
hold a disputation with my teacher in the Law, (as above, down to) Mahāvīra?"
Gosāla replied: "Saddālaputta, any man, whatsoever his name, whether he be in his youth or in full manhood, (and so forth, down to) if he is experienced in the subtle arts, can prevent a goat or sheep or pig or cock or black partridge or grey quail or bush-quail or pigeon or grey partridge or crow or hawk, from moving or stirring with its hands or feet or hoofs or tail feathers or horns or tusks or hair, wherever he may catch hold of it. In like manner, the Samana, the blessed Mahāvīra, can refute my theories by means of many theses, arguments (as above, § 174, down to) explanations wherever he gets hold of me. It is for this reason, Saddālaputta, that I say that I am not able to hold a disputation with thy teacher in the Law (as above, § 73, down to) Mahāvīra."
220. Then that Saddālaputta, the servant of the Samana, spoke thus to Gosāla Mankhaliputta: "Since you have told, O beloved of the devas, the praises of my teacher in the Law (as above, § 73, down to) Mahavira, regarding things that are true, real, genuine and actual, therefore I now hospitably invite you to a standing provision of stool, plank and bedding. But do not think that it is an act of duty or of penance. So you may go now into my potter shops and live there in the enjoyment of a standing provision of stool, plank and bedding."
221. Then that Gosāla Mankhaliputta, accepted this offer of Saddālaputta, the servant of the Samaṇa; and having done so, he lived in the potter shops in the, enjoyment of a standing provision of stool, plank and bedding.
222. Then that Gosala Mankhaliputta, seeing that he was not able, in spite of much talking, explaining, persuading and ingratiating; to cause Saddālaputta, the servant of the Samaņa, to depart from, or to swerve from, or to transgress against the doctrine of the Niggantha, and being now weary, tired and disappointed with his efforts, departed from the town of Polāsapura; and having done so, he abode elsewhere in a different country.