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72
SHRAMAN MAHAVIR
(3) The Lord was on way from Vaishali to Vanijyagram 1 The Gandakı river barred his way The Lord stood near its bank A ferry touched the edge Passengers boarded it The Lord also boarded it The ferry set its sail It reached the other bank The passengers began to alight The Lord also landed. The ferrymen collected the fare One of them demanded the same of the Lord Wherefrom would the Lord pay his fare? Hence he was detained by the ferrymen The passengers took to their errands The Lord stood alone
After a while the river was alive with the barges carrying soldiers The soldiers alighted. Their commander saw the Lord He was prompted to go and bow down to him in the right earnest 'My Lord, I am the son of Sankharaj's sister My name is Chit I have earlier met you with Sankhraj At the moment I lead this naval caravan on a diplomatic mission Pray why should you stand here in the scorching sun?'
'I suffer penalty for my fault'
'What fault, sire?'
'I crossed Gandakı river on a ferry I should have obtained the consent of the oarsman before boarding it, which I omitted to do'
'It's no fault Don't the others do so?'
'They might do it since they have the capacity to pay the fare possess nothing to pay Hence my peccadillo is inexcusable' Chit eyed the sailors with soldier-like sternness They trembled with fear The Lord's mercy was invoked 'Chit, please abide, Don't threaten them They are innocent I made the lapse'
Chit was pacified He appeased the sailors Learning of the Lord's identity they felt a compunction The Lord's compassion heartily pleased them The Lord, Chit and the sailors dispersed to go to their respective destination-s
1
Tenth year of the pursuit.
2 'Awashyakchurni' I pt p 299
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