________________
90
CHAPTER EIGHT
brothers grew up gradually and acquired all the arts through a teacher. King Padmottara knew, "He wishes to be a conqueror," and wisely gave Mahāpadma the rank of heirapparent.
Story of Namuci and Vişnukumāra (14-203) Now in the city Ujjayini Śrīvarman was king and he had a well-known minister, named Namuci. One day, Ācārya Suvrata, initiated by Munisuvrata, came to this city in his wandering and made a halt. King Srivarman, occupying the top of his palace, saw the people going from the city with great magnificence to pay homage to him. The king, whose mind was transparent, asked Namuci, “Where are the townspeople going with great magnificence when there is no religious procession ?" He replied, "Some ascetics have come to a garden outside. They are going in haste to honor them with devotion." "We also shall go," the king said, and Namuci answered, “If you wish to hear dharma, I myself will teach it." The king said again, "We shall go there, certainly.” The minister said: “The master must occupy an impartial position. I shall silence them all and defeat them in debate, for the learning of the heretics is spreading even among the common people.”
After this speech the king, the minister, and all the royal household went to Ācārya Suvrata, with various thoughts. Speaking as they liked, they asked the munis about dharma, but the munis remained silent at their loud speeches. Then Namuci, angered, blaming the teaching of the Arhats, said to the sūri, “Look! Do you know anything worth while ?” Ācārya Suyrata said to the minister though rude, “If your tongue itches, then we shall talk about something." Then a disciple said to Acārya Suvrata: "It is not fitting for you yourself to talk with this man thinking himself learned. I shall defeat him in debate. . Do you look on, having become only a spectator. Let him, a learned Brāhman, speak, I shall demolish his argument thoroughly.”
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
