Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

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

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CHAPTER I
PREVIOUS BIRTHS
Invocation (1-2) Homage to the Defender from a host of enemies-love, et cetera, that are hard to resist; homage to the Arhat, Lord of ascetics, Mahāvira, Protector. Of him, god of gods, we . shall celebrate the life, which is worshipped by gods, asuras, and men, and which is the best pool of the water of merit.
Incarnation as Nayasāra (3-24) There is a city, named Jayanti, in the province Mahāvapra, the ornament of West Videha in this same Jambūdvīpa. Satrumardana, very magnificent, who resembled a newly arisen Janārdana in his strength of arm, was king there. In one of his villages, named Pșthivipratişthāna, there was a villageoverseer, named Nayasāra, devoted to the Master. Although he was outside of the organization of monks, he was opposed to crimes, averse to incurring guilt, and devoted to the acquisition of merit.
One day, at the king's command he took food and carts and went to the great forest for teak trees. While he was having. the trees cut, midday came on, and the sun in the sky burned intensely like a fire in the stomach. Then Nayasāra's servants, knowing that it was time, brought him an excellent meal under a pavilion-like tree. With the thought, “ If I should have a hungry or thirsty guest come, I would give him food,” Nayasära looked here and there.
Just then sādhus came, hungry and thirsty, tired, their bodies bathed in perspiration, who were occupied in looking for a caravan. Reflecting, “How fortunate! These sādhus have come here as my guests,” the village-overseer bowed to them and said: "How did your Reverences come to this great