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Praśamarati
APPENDIX II
Story No. 1
Concept of Leśyā
(Referred to in Verse Nos. 37-38) The concept of “Leśyā” plays an important part in the Theory of Karma. This concept was briefly explained in the verse Nos. 37 and 38 of Praśamarati. The following example increases the understanding of the same concept
The Example of the six travellers and the Jambu tree: There were six travellers going to a city and they lost their way in a forest. They became very hungry and fortunately for them, they saw a large Jambu tree whose branches were fully covered with bunches of its fruit. All the travellers were filled with the thoughts of eating the Jambu fruits.
The first man said : “Let us uproot this tree.” (This indicates that Krşņa (black) Leśyā - i.e. the worst of the three unholy varieties - as having taken hold of the man's personality). The second said : “Let us cut only the large branches down." (Here the Nīla (dark blue) Leśyā is indicated). The third said: “Let us cut the small branches down." (Here the Kāpota (grey) Leśyā is indicated). The fourth said: “Let us bring down only the bunches of the fruit." (Here the Tejas (yellow) - Leśyā - i.e. the third best of the three holy varieties is indicated). The fifth said: “Let us bring down only the ripe Jambu fruits from the bunches" (Here the Padma (red) Leśyā is indicated). The sixth and the last man said: “Our aim is to satisfy our hunger by eating the Jambu fruits; so why don't we pick out and eat the ripe fruits that have fallen upon the earth.” (This indicates that Sukla (white) Leśyā i.e. the best of the holy varieties as having taken hold of the man's personality).
