Nav Smarana

Author(s): Vinod Kapashi
Publisher: Vinod Kapashi

Page 73

The above translation is rewritten below in three parts to explain:
O saviour of mankind though you are the master of the universe (wealthy), you are still poor (durgata).
contradiction No 1
Although your very nature is a letter (akshara) you are not forming an alphabet (alipi).
contradiction No.2
Moreover the knowledge permanently shines in you Even though you are ignorant. (ajnänavati).
contradiction No.3
Now the Sanskrit words written in brackets above can be used with different interpretation. in different ways. Let us see the translation in a different light. The above phrases will now change as below
O saviour of the mankind !, though you are the master of the universe, you are realised with great difficulty (durgata).
contradiction No 1
Although your very nature is imperishable (akshara) you are not bound by karma (alipi)
-contradiction No.2
Moreover the knowledge permanently shines in you even though you give away your knowledge to the ignorant. - contradiction No.3
(ajänan avati).
Verse No. 31 Masses of dust which entirely filled the sky and which were thrown in a rage by malevolent Kamath (who wanted to take revenge, but) failed to blemish your loveliness, O Lord, but that very sinister man whose hopes were shattered, was caught in the mass of dust (of karma dust thrown by him).
Verse No. 32 O Lord, The heavy downpour, accompanied by a range of thundering mighty clouds, flashes of lightning and terrible drops of water coming down like a club, which was let loose by the demon (Kamath), did not harm you but served him like a deadly sword.
Comments: The incident of the encounter between Kamath and Pärshvanätha goes like this: The demon Kamath came to take revenge for past births and tried to harass Pärshvanatha by first causing a great storm of dust. This did not affect Pärshvanatha at all. Kamath then created thundering clouds by his black magic. Rain fell with the heaviest intensity all around Pärshvanatha. The heavy rain caused flooding everywhere and the water started to rise. Pärshvanatha continued his meditation. He was not moved or disturbed by this severe calamity. The water started rising and it came up to the knees of Pärshvanätha and it kept rising. At this juncture, Dharnendra, the attendant deity of Parshvanatha, appeared and created a great lotus which lifted Pärshvanätha clear off the surface of the water. Dharnendra also made a hood (snake hood) to cover Pärshvanatha's head and prevent him getting wet. Pärshvanatha was still in deep meditation. Kamath at last gave up his evil acts and apologised. Pärshvanatha forgave him.