Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

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

Page 276

236
they shall be disgusting.'
After these reflections, he said to his sons: 'I am tired of living. This is the custom of the family, sons. Those who are about to die must give the household an animal that has been purified by a charm. Bring an animal.' Delighted at hearing this, slow-witted like an animal, they brought an animal. He made his body burst repeatedly from food and fed the animal the diseased discharges so that it became leprous. One day the Brahman killed the animal and gave it to his sons. They, ignorant of his intention, foolishly ate it. The Brahman took leave of his sons, saying, I shall go to a holy place for my own benefit.' And he went away, head erect, considering a forest to be a refuge. As he was exceedingly thirsty, he wandered in the forest for a long time, looking for water, and saw a pond, like a friend, in a place with various trees. The Brahman drank the water that had leaves, flowers, and fruit scattered by the trees on the bank and was heated by the midday summer sun, like an infusion. As he, suffering from thirst, drank the water again and again, a purging with worms took place. In a few days he was cured and had beautiful limbs from the water in the pool, like a tree from spring. Delighted at being cured, the Brahman returned to his own house quickly. Men have an affection for their place of birth when a fine appearance arises from a difference in the body.
CHAPTER NINE
Entering the city, he was beheld by the citizens with astonishment, glistening like a snake that has cast off its old skin. Questioned by the townsmen, How have you been cured as if reborn?' the Brahman explained, By propitiation of the gods.' He went to his own house and saw with pleasure that his sons were lepers. He said to them, 'This fruit of contempt was well given by me.' The sons said, 'Cruel father, why did you, like an enemy, do this to us trusting (you)?'
Reviled by the people, he came to your city, king, and, shelterless, took shelter with a doorkeeper who kept a door