Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 1

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

Page 88

penance like the water of a river by summer-heat, he was afflicted by worms and leprosy from eating food at the wrong time. Although afflicted with worms and leprosy in his whole body, he did not ever ask for a treatment. For those who desire emancipation are' indifferent to the body. As he was wandering at random from house to house to break his three days' fast, they observed him in the courtyard of their own house. Then Prince Mahidhara said tauntingly to Jivānanda, the only physician in the world: “You have thorough knowledge of disease; you have knowledge of drugs; you are experienced in treatment. Compassion alone is wanting. Like a courtesan, you never glance even at a friend even though sick, even though asking, unless you are paid. Nevertheless, the discerning must not be greedy for money solely. In some cases, a cure must be made for the sake of dharma. Shame on all your efforts in treatment and in pathology since you are indifferent to such a worthy person who has come ill."
Jivānanda, an ocean of the jewels of knowledge, replied: "Noble friend, you have astonished me. It is a good thing. A Brahman's relatives free from animosity, à merchant who is not deceitful, a lover who is not jealous, a body free from disease, a learned man who is rich, a meritorious person free from pride, a woman who is not fickle, and a prince who has good conductthese are seldom seen. I must certainly cure this great muni. The lack of remedies hinders. I have here the oil with a hundred thousand ingredients, but I have not gośīrşa-sandal and a jeweled blanket. Bring them.” “We will bring them,” saying, the five went at once to the bazaar. The muni went to his own house.
“Take the price and give us a jeweled blanket and gośirşa-sandal,” they said to an old merchant. While giving them, he said, “A lac of dinars is the price of each of them. Take them, and tell me what you