Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 1

Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra

Page 365

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what is suitable for a noble man." As a result of this reflection, dharmadhyāna progressed in him, negligent, like the stream of the Gangā in the Lavaņoda. Again the King became absorbed in sense-objects—sound, etc. No one is able to change karma which has pleasure as its fruit
One day, the head-cooks informed the King, “Because of the large number of people (who come), it is not known who is a layman and who is not." Bharata instructed the cooks, “After this, food must be given with a test, 'Are you laymen?!" "Who are you?" "I am a layman." "Tell us how many vows." "Laymen do not have these (vows), but we always have five lesser vows and seven disciplinary vows."887 They showed the ones who had passed the test like this to the King. With the cowrie-jewel the King made three lines indicating right knowledge, right faith, and right conduct, a mark of purity, like a garland hung obliquely over the shoulder. Every half-year the new laymen passed the test and were marked by the cowrie in the same way. By that mark they obtained food and recited aloud, "You are conquered, etc.” From that they became Māhanas (Brāhmans). They gave their children to sādhus; and of these some, disgusted with life, took the vow of their own accord. Some became laymen, as they were unable to endure trials; they took food and were marked in the same way with the cowriejewel. Because the King gave it to them, the people gave also from faith. One who is honored by those who are honored, by whom is he not honored ?
For the sake of their study, the Cakrin made the noble Vedas purified by praise of the Arhats and right practices of munis and laymen. Gradually, the Māhanas became known by the name of Brāhmans and, bearing the
887 240. The three meritorious vows and the four proper disciplin. ary. These 7 are usually called śīlavratas.