Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 2

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

Page 38

PREVIOUS INCARNATION AS VIMALAVĀHANA
13
Preparation for initiation (143–197) When the Sūri had made this reply, the Sun of Kings bowed to him, and stood up. For intelligent people do not delay about action that has been decided on. The King went from necessity to his house like an ill-favored wife, his mind intent on Acārya Arindama. Seated on the lion-throne, the King summoned the ministers, the pillars of the house of empire, and said to them :
“Gentlemen, just as we are king in this house by succession, so you are ministers with the one great vow of your master's good. By the power of your advice the world has been conquered, like a magic power (vidyā) by a charm. The exploits of our strength of arm were merely the instrument in the matter. You, like the thick wind, thick water, and thin wind 24 have borne the weight of the world for me in the past. · But I, absorbed in different amusements day and night was negligent like a god, devoted to sense-objects. This negligence, causing the suffering of endless existence, has been recognized by me today by the favor of a preceptor, like a cavern at night by a torch. From ignorance I have been deceived for a long time, myself by myself. For what can one, though having eyes, do when darkness breaks forth ? Alas! for so long a time we have been led on the wrong path alone by our unsubdued senses like spirited horses. This service to sense-objects, which produces nothing worthwhile at maturity, has been made by me with little wit, like resorting to the shade of a vibhitaka tree. 26 Blameless kings were struck down by me intolerant of others' powers in the expedition of conquest, like elephants by a rutting elephant. When I employed the six means,24 alliance, etc., against kings, how much true speech, like the shade of a palm
24 148. See below, Chap. III.
25 153. Terminalia bellerica. The leaves of the Terminalia grow in bunches at the ends of the branches, so it gives little shade.
26 155. Alliance, war, marching, encampment, stratagem, and recourse to protection. Mānavadharmaśāstra VII. 160.