Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 1

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

Page 79

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near. He had excessive devotion to pleasure with neglect of dharma. Generally there is a change in the nature of creatures at death. All his retinue spoke inarticulately from grief and pain. Utterance of those talking issues in accordance with the future. He was deserted by Beauty and Modesty, who had been won at the proper time and were always dear, just as if he had committed a crime. Even though not poor, he was attended by Poverty, and by Sleep, though not sleepy, just as an ant is provided with wings at the time of death.85 His ligaments relaxed together with his heart, and the kalpatrees unshakeable even by winds shook. The joints of his body and limbs, though healthy, separated as if from fear of pain arising from going to a future evil state. In the same way, his sight became dull in grasping objects, as if unable to see the presence of others. Just then his limbs became tremulous and unsteady, as if from fear of the coming of pain caused by dwelling in the womb. Like an elephant with a driver, he took no pleasure in pleasure-mountains, rivers, tanks, lakes, nor groves, though beautiful.
Then Svayamprabhā said, “Have I committed some fault, my lord, since you look so melancholy p" Lalitānga replied: "My dear, there is no fault of yours. The fault is mine, that I practiced so little penance formerly, fair-browed one. I, always like a person awake in regard to pleasures, and asleep in regard to dharma, was indeed lord of the Vidyādharas in a former birth. Enlightened by my minister Svayambuddha sent by my
85 608. Though kiţikā in Sk. includes all kinds of insects, here it is evidently used for 'ant.' Cf. Guj. kidi, ant.
There are two similar Hindusthāni proverbs (H. P. pp. 57-8): When the ant's wings come out his death has come. When the ants are about to die they get wings. .
This is true biologically in the sense that as soon as the ants emerge as complete insects, they take a nuptial flight and the male dies immediately.