Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

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

Page 327

STORIES OF RAUHINEYA AND OTHERS
287
The goldsmith followed these instructions and was carried there by a bird. He was seen by them (the goddesses) and at the sight of them, he fell very much in love. They said, 'We are not to be enjoyed by that (mortal) body of yours, faultless sir; therefore become lord of Pañcaśaila by entering the fire, et cetera.' 'What am I to do ? Where am I to go?' asked the goldsmith. They made hollows of their hands and set him down in a garden in Campã. Questioned by the people who observed him, he told his story. Recalling Hāsā and Prahāsā, he began the fire-ceremony.
His friend Nagila enlightened him thus: A death suitable for a coward is not suitable for you, surely. The birth of a mortal is hard to attain. Do not pass it uselessly by the acquisition of the trifling reward of pleasure. Who would be willing to take a cowrie in the place of a jewel? Or even if you have pleasure as your object, even so, rely on the religion of the Arhat. It is indeed a cow of plenty for both wealth and love and grants also heaven and emancipation.' Even thus restrained by Nagila, he performed the inginideath221 and because of a nidana became lord of Pañcaśaila. Nagila attained disgust with the world at once from the foolish death of his friend and took initiation. Observing mendicancy, after he died he became a god in Acyuta and saw by clairvoyance that his friend had gone to Pañcaśaila.
When the gods had set out on a pilgrimage to holy Nandiśvara, at their order Hāsā and Prahāsā began to sing before them. Appointed by them to carry the drum, Vidyunmalin said, Is there any lord, pray, giving orders to me?' However, while his mouth was buzzing with conceit with these words, the drum stuck to his throat like servant-karma embodied. The drum clung to his body as if it had been produced at the same time like hands, feet, et cetera and he,
221 357. The ingini-marana is one of the well-known deaths by fasting. See I, n. 126. I have not been able to find an explanation of its use in connection with a death by fire. Cf. Meyer, p.99.