________________
MAHĀVIRA'S FIRST SIX YEARS AS AN ASCETIC
63
now and I shall serve him if he wishes an attendant. If he is served in this state, surely he will give rewards. For the opportunity of service to one entitled to be served is won only by merit."
With this idea he followed the track to the hamlet Sthūņāka and saw the Lord in statuesque posture under an aśoka tree. His breast was marked by a śrīvatsa; his head was marked by an excrescence,90 his hands were marked by the wheel, et cetera; his arms resembled large serpents; his navel had a hole deep as a conch shell-so he saw the Lord's superior marks. Puspa reflected: "Just as he is shown to be a superior person by the marks on his feet, so he is indicated to be a cakrin by the others. With these marks, I am astonished that he is a mendicant. Alas for my work in the sciences ! Alas for my putting hope in him! It seems that the works on sciences are prepared by the unlearned only to deceive every one or for their own interest. For I, with hope inspired by their words, have been made to run uselessly, like a deer in a desert for the water of a mirage." With these reflections Puspa felt deep despair in his heart.
Just then Sakra thought, "How does the Lord wander?" By the eye of clairvoyance he saw the Master in Sthūņāka and the astrologer Puspa traducing the śāstras from despair. Quickly approaching, Indra paid homage with great magnificence to the Lord Jina in statuesque posture, while Puspa looked on.
Sakra said to Puspa: "Why do you blame the śastras and their authors? For indeed they say nothing false. For you know the outer signs only; but there are inner signs. The Master's flesh and blood are as white as milk, free from odor. The breath of his lotus-mouth resembles the fragrance of a lotus; the Lord's body is healthy, free from dirt and perspiration. For this man is lord of the three worlds, a cakrin of religion, benefactor of the world, bestower of fearlessness on
90 353. This occurs on statues of the Tirthankaras, though it is the exception rather than the rule.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
