________________
499
long in company of celestial females like a wicked man without valour on a battle-field, but, now, i am determined to dispel the long-continued boast of his pride. Wise persons do not disregard the wicked individual in the same way, that they would do in the case of a diseased condition. Prosperity abandons a bad person wbo does not manage his affairs satisfaciorily after having acquired his supreme authority obtained in regular succession. I am at present powerful and let the uncieanliness of crushig the pride of the king of gods be done with my hands." On hearing the arrogant words of Camarendra, without ascertaining his own valour of arms, the sāmānika gods told him;- 'O god ! he has acquired the great extent of the excellent prosperity of his celestial life on account of preponderance of the mass of his meritorious acts accumulated during previous lives, and you are the master of bhavana-pati gods like ourselves, although you are endowed with diligence, resolution, strength, and oiber qualities. Therefore, O master ! Leave off your jealousy, and enjoy the ownership acquired in reguiar order. Let him enjoy the affluence of the happiness of lordship over gods. Quarreling with him is useless. What can you accomplish with your doubtfui greatnessi Tbink well with your clever intellect Acta dune without ripe thinking, turn out terrible in the end like the true of a poison-tree. The dust of ill-faine caused by loss of honour, cannot be washed off by thousands of showers of rain. You consider well for your own self, what is suitable under the circumstances. What more discretion are we expected to have than your self ?'' On hearing this, Camaréndra, with his eye-brows fearfully kait with violent anger, said:-"O Sāmānika dévas! (gods), Although you are of declining age, you uselessly bear sthaviratva (the state of being a venerable man) without having due discerning judgment. By talking about the defeat of your own master, you are abrowing away very far your own dignity. Virtuous qualities always create greatness. One becomes respectable like an honourable teacher by possessing several virtuous qualities, although he may be young in age. Otherwise how can a mustard secd valuable by possessing auspicious qualities- be placed on the head although
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
