Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 3

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

Page 124

VIMALANĀTHACARITRA
95
other heretics sounding like owls; with wrong belief destroying the eye of discernment, like a person with magic powers; with ignorance of the true categories on all sides, for a long time the times have been like night, Lord of the World. Now dawn has been made to appear by you, a lord, a sun. Verily, the river of samsära, flowing in depressed places, uncrossable, has been crossed by people, though depressed, by clinging to the path of your feet. I think the place of emancipation has been reached after a long time by persons capable of emancipation who have mounted the ladder of your teaching. After a long time you have appeared as a protector for us who have no protector, like a cloud to travelers burned by the heat of
summer.
";
After praising the thirteenth Tirthankara in this way, Purandara went as he had come and deposited him at the side of Mistress Syāmā. Sakra went to his own abode from the Master's and the other Indras to theirs from Meru, like ocean-travelers who have made a successful voyage.
Life before initiation (47–52)
King Kṛtavarman, delighted, celebrated his son's birth-festival, which gave delight to all, with great magnificence. Because his mother was brilliant (vimala) while he was in the womb, the father himself gave him the name Vimala. The Lord of the World, cared for by goddesses who had become nurses and amused by gods who had become his companions, grew up.
Sixty bows tall, the Master gradually attained youth, marked with a thousand and eight marks. Though feeling disgust with existence, at his father's importunity he married royal maidens-herbs for the disease of karma with pleasure as its fruit.
After passing fifteen lacs of years as prince, he ruled the earth at his father's command. For the father's command must be honored even by Arhats.