Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

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

Page 206

166
CHAPTER SIX money,” he left the house. The courtesan ran after him in haste and said to him:
“Give up this penance hard to do. Enjoy pleasures with me. Otherwise, I shall certainly kill myself, lord of my life.”
Again and again addressed so by her, he agreed to her proposition because of subjection to pleasure-karma, although he knew that pleasures were sins. He made a vow: “I shall enlighten ten or more persons every day. If I do not, then I shall take initiation again.”
Giving up the outfit of a sage, he lived in her house, always thinking of the speeches of the deity and the Jina which had opposed initiation. He enjoyed pleasures with her and daily enlightened ten persons who were capable of emancipation and sent them to the Lord Jina for initiation, for days.
One day the karma which had pleasure as its fruit became consumed while he was bestowing enlightenment. Nine persons were enlightened, but not the tenth, who belonged to the goldsmith caste. While he was unenlightened, the courtesen, knowing that it was the proper time, told Nandişeņa again and again that the meal was prepared. As his vow had not been fulfilled, he did not get up to eat, but continued enlightening the goldsmith earnestly with many arguments.
Then the courtesan said to him: “The food that was prepared before became tasteless. Food is ready again. Why do you delay, lord?”
Nandişeņa said: “ The tenth person has not been enlightened. I myself shall be the tenth today. I shall take initiation again.”
After telling her this, knowing that the pleasure-fruit had been consumed, Nandişeņa left and took initiation again under the Master. High-minded Nandişeņa wandered with the Lord Jina after confessing his evil conduct and, keeping a sharp vow, went to heaven.