Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

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

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CHAPTER FOUR authority"; the other said that of the ascetics. They made an agreement in this dispute, “Whoever is the most obscure among the followers of the Arhats and whoever is most distinguished among ascetics must be tested by us to see which one excels in good qualities."
Just at that time holy Padmaratha, adorned by a new religion, 26 set out from the city Mithilā over the world. As he went to Campā to take initiation from Vāsupūjya, hé, a yati by nature, was observed on the road by the two gods. Though hungry and thirsty, the king refused food and drink offered by them with a desire to test him. For the resolute do not depart from the truth. The gods made pain for the king's tender lotus-feet with pebbles and thorns cruel as saws. Nevertheless, he walked beautifully on such a road, as if it had a surface of cotton, with his feet dripping with blood. They sang, danced, et cetera to disturb the king; but that was in vain against him like a divine weapon against a relative.27 They assumed the forms of siddhaputras 28 and appeared before him. “Sir, now life is long and you are young. Enjoy its pleasures at will. What sense is there in austerities in youth? Who, even though energetic, would perform the duties of night at dawn? When youth has been passed, the cause of weakness of the body, you should undertake penance, like a second old age, dear sir." . .
The king said, “If life is long, there will be much merit. The lotus-stalk grows according to the measure of water. The penance which is practiced in youth when the senses are fickle, that is penance. He is called a hero who is a hero on the battle-field with cruel weapons." Saying, “Good! Good!” to him who was not shaken from
26 15. I.e., a recent convert. Cf. Kathākośa, pp. 22 ff. 27 20. Cf. I, 321.
28 21. Defined by PH as'a man in the state between a Jain sādhu and a layman.' I.e., a layman who is very advanced in indifference to worldly matters, almost a sādhu.