________________
171
divided the earth and gave it to Bharata and your other sons. Why was no territory, not even the size of a cow's hoof, given to us? By your favor give that now, O Lord of All. Has the God of gods seen some fault in us that you do not give even an answer, to say nothing of anything else ?" The Lord made no reply to them speaking at that time ; for those free from worldly attachments are not contaminated by any one's worldly anxiety. Reflecting, “Even if the Master does not speak, this is our course, nevertheless,” they began to serve the god (Rşabha). To lay the dust near the Master, they sprinkled water brought constantly from a pond in lotus-leaves. At dawn they put before the Dharmacakrin a heap of flowers intoxicating a multitude of bees by its perfume. With drawn swords, they served the Master as attendants day and night, like the Sun and Moon around Mt. Meru. Three times a day they bowed with folded hands and asked, “There is no other Master. Give us a kingdom, O Master."
One day, Dharaṇa, the lord of the Nāgakumāras, a layman, came there wishing to honor the Master's feet. With amazement the Nāga-king saw them serving the Master, asking him for wealth like simple children. He said to them in a voice resembling a stream of nectar, “Who are you? And for what do you, full of perseverance, ask resolutely ? For a year the Master of the World gave unceasingly great gifts, whatever desired. Where were you then ? Now the Master is free from worldly attachment, without property, free from anger, joy, etc., indifferent even to the body.” Thinking, “He is some worshipper of the Master," both answered respectfully the lord of the serpents, Dharaña. “We were servants, and he our lord. He himself sent us away somewhere. Then dividing the kingdom, he gave it all to his sons. Even if his wealth has been given away, he is the one to bestow a kingdom on us. What thought is there, 'There is or there is not'? Service must be
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
