Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

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

Page 369

OMNISCIENCE OF MAHAVIRA
329 every minute to massage his limbs with ointment and to give him medicine. Māgadhikā arranged the massage, et cetera in such a way that she made him have contact with her body. He was gradually made well by her care and he was fragrant from her devotion like a garment from a campaka flower. From the side glances of her eyes, from the contact with her body, from her gentle speech, the muni's mind wavered. Of what account is penance in association with women ! The relation of husband and wife of the muni and Māgadhikā expanded from day to day from the couch, seat, et cetera together. Kūlavāluka was led to Campā by Māgadhikā. What does a man, blind from love, not do, like a slave of women?
She announced to the King of Campā, “ Majesty, here is Kūlavāluka. After making him my husband, I have brought him. What is he to do? Give orders." The king instructed Kūlavāluka earnestly, “Monk, arrange it so that Vaiśāli will fall quickly.” When he had heard the king's instruction, Kūlavāluka, a depository of intelligence, went with an unstumbling gait to Vaiśāli in the guise of an ascetic. The lord of Campā then besieged Vaiśāli with all his forces, though it had been besieged before, eager from the hope of victory.
Māgadhikā's husband began to look at objects in the city and he saw the mound of Munisuvrata Svāmin. When he had seen it he thought: “ The moment of its dedication is very strong. Surely because of its power the city does not fall. If this mound can be destroyed by some device, then Vaiśāli will fall, but not otherwise, even by Vajrin.” With these thoughts, Kūlavāluka roamed through Vaiśāli and was asked by the people worn out by the siege of the city, “We are tamed by the enemy's siege of the city, ascetic. If you know, then tell us when it will be raised.” He said: “I know for certain that so long as that mound is in the city, the siege will not be raised, people. This mound being destroyed, you will have this proof: the enemy's army will go away at once 42 M