Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 2

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

Page 99

74
CHAPTER THREE guise of a son. Nevertheless, father, I beg you, let my uncle take the kingdom. For the younger brother, welltrained, is superior to the son."
Sumitra replied : “I will certainly not abandon my master's feet to take the kingdom. For who would abandon much for the sake of little ? Service to the elder is more important to the wise than a kingdom, or great sovereignty, or the rank of a cakravartin, or even the state of a god."
Then Ajitanātha said to him, “If you do not wish to take the kingdom, uncle, nevertheless remain here for our happiness, after becoming an ascetic in spirit.”
Jitaśatru said, “Brother, consider what my son says urgently. An ascetic in spirit is an ascetic. He (Ajita) is a Tirthakara before your eyes. In his congregation your desire will be accomplished. Consider ! Do not be overeager, dear brother. Seeing one son 148 become a dharmacakrin and the other a cakravartin, you will attain happiness surpassing the happiness of all.”
Though eager for the vow, Sumitra agreed to his speech. For the command of the elder is not to be crossed by the noble, like the shore by the oceans. Jitaśatru, delighted, himself crowned Ajita Svāmin with a very great festival. All the earth rejoiced at this coronation. For who is not pleased when a leader, capable of protecting everyone, has been obtained ? Ajita Svāmin established Sagara as heir-apparent, like a friend of Atanu (Kāma) establishing his second body.144
Then Holy Ajitanātha held the departure-festival of Jitaśatru fittingly with great magnificence. Jitaśatru adopted mendicancy, the mother of emancipation, in the presence of the elders of Rşabha Svāmin's congregation. Then subduing the internal enemies, 146 as well as the external ones, he maintained the vow uninjured like his kingdom. Omniscience having arisen, engaged in śaileśi
143 92. Really his nephew. 144 96. I.e., Sagara was like a second Kāma. 145 99. See I, n. 5.