Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

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

Page 304

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it were his own slave.
At that time, as he was wandering gradually through towns, villages, and mines, Vira, the last Tirthankara, surrounded by fourteen thousand great ascetics, setting his feet on beautiful golden lotuses put in motion by the gods, came there (to Rajagṛha); and for the Lord Jina the gods, the Vaimānikas, the Jyotișikas, the Asuras, the Vyantaras, made a samavasaraṇa, where the Blessed Vira gave religious instruction in a speech adapted to every dialect and extending for a yojana.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
was
Then Rauhiṇeya too, as he was on his way to Rājagṛha, arrived in the vicinity of the assembly-hall which was on the way and meditated to this effect: "If I go by that road, I shall hear Vira's discourse and my father's command will be broken. Yet there is no other road; so be it." With this reflection, he covered his ears with his hands, and quickly went on to Rajagṛha. As he came and went every day in this manner, one day near the samavasaraṇa a thorn broken off in his foot; and because of the pain in walking, he was not able to take a step without extracting the thorn imbedded in his foot. Thinking, There is no other way," he took his hand from his ear. While he was extracting the thorn, he heard the voice of the Teacher of the World. "The gods do not touch the earth with their feet, their eyes are unwinking, their wreaths are unwithered, their bodies are free from perspiration and dust." "Alas! I have heard a great deal!" Quickly he pulled out the thorn, covered his ear with his hand, and departed in that manner.
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Now, as the city was robbed daily by this thief, the leading merchants went to Śreņika and announced: "While you are ruling, Your Majesty, we have no other fear; but, on the other hand, our property is seized and carried away by thieves who are not seen, as if by slaves. " The king indeed sympathized with them just as if they had been his relatives, and spoke with a burst of anger to the chief of police: "Do you take pay from me, having turned thief, or having become