Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

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

Page 46

CHAPTER ONE repeatedly, Marici acquired karma called 'low-family' (nicagotra).
After Rşabha's emancipation, he wandered with the sādhus and after he had enlightened bhavyas, he sent them to the sādhus. One day, when he was attacked by sickness, the sādhus said, “ He does not practice self-control,” and did not take care of him. III, he reflected to himself: “ Shame on these sādhus, discourteous, devoid of compassion, devoted to nothing but their own affairs, averse to dealing with people, since they do not even look at me, much less take care of me, though I am intimate (with them), friendly, initiated by the same teacher, and polite. And yet, this is an evil thought on my part. Since they do not care for their own bodies, why then should they care for me when I am ill? When I have recovered from this illness, therefore, I shall make some disciple an attendant of my own and, indeed, with this same garb.” Thus reflecting, Marici recovered by the power of fate.
Kapila as disciple (67-70)
One day, a well-born youth, Kapila, met him. He informed Kapila, who was seeking dharma, about the religion of the Arhats. “Why do you not practice it yourself?" Kapila asked him. Marici replied, “I am not able to practice that dharma.”
Kapila enquired, “ Is not dharma found on your path ? " Knowing that he was weak in the religion of the Jina and desiring a disciple, he told him,
“ Dharma is found both on the path of the Jina and on my path.”
Then Kapila became his disciple. From the teaching of false dharma Marici acquired a crore of crores of sāgaras14 in worldly existence.
of crores of palyo
14 70. Abdhi=sāgara=sägaropama=10 crores pamas. K., p. 339.