Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

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

Page 277

STORIES OF THE PLOUGHMAN AND OTHERS 237 for a living. We came here at that time, and the doorkeeper left the Brāhman in charge of his work and went to hear our sermon. He served at the door and in pain from hunger ate at pleasure the offering in front of the doorDurgās, 185 as if he had not seen any in his life. From the food that he ate up to his neck and from summer-heat he was made like a desert-traveler filled with thirst that has developed. From fear of the door-keeper, he did not go to wells, et cetera, deserting his post, but suffering from thirst, he considered water-creatures fortunate. Crying, "Water ! Water !’he died from thirst and was born a frog in the tank at the city-gate here.
In our wandering we came again to this town and the people came forth eagerly to pay homage to us. The frog heard the news of our arrival from the lips of water-carriers and thought to himself, “Somewhere I have heard this before.' Then as he used üha and apoha again and again, the recollection of former births, like the recollection of a dream, took place immediately. The frog thought: ‘The Blessed One has come here, whom the door-keeper went to worship before, after putting me in charge of the door. Just as these people go to see him, I shall go, too. The Gangā, common to all, is ancestral (property) of no one.' Then as he jumped along the road with the intention of paying homage to us, the frog died, crushed by your horse's hoof, as he came.
Purified by devotion to me, he was born a god, Dardurāńka. For intention bears fruit surely even without accomplishment. Indra said in his assembly, The followers of the Arhat are inferior to Śreņika.' He did not believe this and came to test you. He anointed my feet with gośīrşasandal. Every other strange thing was done for the confusion of your eye."
Śreņika said: “Master, why did he say something inauspicious when the Lord sneezed, but something auspicious
185 121. I.e. statues of Durga in front of doors.