Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

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

Page 205

ŚREŅIKA, MEGHAKUMĀRA AND NANDIŞEŅA 165 Saying, “What will right-conduct-obstructive karma do to me delighting in association with sādhus?” he went to the Master's presence. Though opposed by the Lord in the same way, very vehement from his zeal, he was given initiation at his lotus-feet. He practiced penances, fasts of two and three days, et cetera and wandered with the Lord in villages, mines, cities, et cetera.
Constantly, seated at his teacher's feet, he studied the texts and their interpretation, enduring the trials. He emaciated his body very much by penance to prevent the desire for pleasure arising against his will because of the maturing of pleasurekarma. To prevent disturbances from the senses, daily he practiced severe burning in the sun in cemeteries, et cetera. Disturbances taking place against his will, angry at his senses, he began to hang himself, afraid that he would break the vow. The deity, obstructing his vow, cut his bonds and, when he struck himself with a knife, blunted the knife. When he ate poison, wishing to die, she made it without strength. When he entered the fire, at once she made the fire cool. He threw himself from a mountain-top and, catching him in midair, the deity said to him:
“Do you not remember what I said? Even the Jinas are not able to get rid of karma that has pleasure as its fruit without consuming it. Why do you make useless efforts to the contrary every day?”
Exhorted by her so, he, observing the practice of solitary wandering, went alone to take alms, wishing to break a fast of two days. Then by reason of the non-consumption (of the karma) he entered the house of a courtesan and the great muni gave the blessing, “ Acquisition of dharma.” The courtesan replied with ridicule from hostility: “Our business is not with acquisition of dharma. There must be only acquisition of money."
He thought, “Is this wretched woman laughing at me?” He pulled a sharp blade of grass and by a magic art made a heap of jewels fall. Saying, “ Here is the acquisition of