Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

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

Page 120

ŚRĪ MUNISUVRATANATHACARITRA
85
others; devoted to the destruction of the six internal enemies; whose senses are under control, is suitable for householder's dharma.74 In this worldly existence laydharma must be practiced by a man who wishes consciousness as the fruit, but is not capable of yatidharma." After hearing the Lord's sermon many people became mendicants and some became laymen. For the Arhats' teaching is never in vain. The Master had eighteen ganadharas, Indra, et cetera. After the Lord had finished his sermon, Indra delivered one. When he also had finished preaching, every one, Vajrabhṛt, Suvrata, et cetera, paid homage to the Jineśvara and went to his own house. Sāsanadevatās (194-197)
Originating in that congregation, the Yakṣa Varuna, three-eyed, four-faced, white, with matted hair, with a bull for a vehicle, with four right arms holding a citron, club, arrow, and spear, and four left arms holding an ichneumon, rosary, bow, and axe; and Naradattā, likewise originated, fair, placed on a throne, shining with two right arms, one in boon-granting position and one holding a rosary, with two left arms holding a citron and a trident, became the two messenger-deities of Suvrata Svāmin.
With these two nearby, the Lord wandered over the earth and one time stopped in the large city Bhrgukaccha. King Jitaśatru mounted his high-bred horse, went to pay homage to the Lord, and listened to a sermon. King Jitaśatru's horse also listened to the Master's sermon, his hair erect, motionless, his ears pricked up. At the right time the ganabhṛt asked the Supreme Lord, "Master, who adopted dharma in this samavasarana?" The Master replied, "No one here adopted dharma except King Jitasatru's high-bred horse." Jitaśatru, astonished, asked the Teacher of the World, "Who is this horse, Lord, who adopted dharma?" The Blessed One related the story:
74 189. These slokas on the qualities of a layman occur also in the Yogaśāstra I. 47-56 with com., pp. 50-56.