Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

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

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.MAHAVIRA'S WANDERING AS AN ASCETIC
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he always honored them. From constant contact with the monks, the sheth and his wife, who had excellent understanding, became lay-disciples, knowing the rules.
Now the Blessed Vira stood motionless in statuesque posture between the garden Sakaṭamukha and the city. The Indra of Iśāna went there to worship the Lord Jina and saw Vāgura going by with the intention of worshipping Malli's statue. Iśāna said to Vagura: "Why do you pass by a visible Lord Jina before your eyes to worship a statue of one? For the Blessed Vira himself, the last Tirthankara wandering as an ascetic, stands here in statuesque posture." "I am sorry." With these words, he made the circumambulation three times and paid homage to the Lord with devotion, his body contracted like a tortoise. After Iśāna and Vāgura had bowed to the Lord, they both departed; and the Blessed One went to the hamlet Uṣṇāka.
As the Master went along, he met a bride and groom with completely disfigured shapes, whose marriage had taken place at that time. The wretched Gośāla saw them and said: "Look! These two are pot-bellied, snaggle-toothed, with long necks and chins, bleared eyes, and ugly noses. Shame upon the suitability of the union made by the Creator. Since these two were made bride and groom, I think he was playing a joke." He said this again and again before them and gave a burst of laughter repeatedly, like a clown. The bridal couple's servants, angered, quickly trussed him up like a peacock, as if he were a robber, and threw him into a bamboo-thicket.
Gośāla said: Master, why do you look at me with indifference when I am tied up? You are compassionate to other people. Why not to your attendant?" Siddhartha said to him: "These misfortunes which happen constantly to you like a wanton monkey are caused by your own evil acts, nothing else. The Master went a short distance with the intention of waiting for him. The bridal couple's servants saw the Lord and reflected, He is the stool-or umbrellabearer, or some other servant of this holy man, a heap of penance,
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