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gentleman" or "en person on
In both the above verses the sandalwood metaphorically represents a gentleman or a person of very kind nature. The metaphorical interpretations made by Abhayadeva Sūri and others seem to be based on such popular maxims. We come across such maxims even in vernacular languages. 1
CONCLUSION
In the Indian literature, the phrase Vász-Chandana-Kappo is used to illustrate the state of equanimity of an ascetic who has reached a very high stage of Sadhanā. There are four possible interpretations suggested by various scholars :
1. It signifies a person indifferent to the smell of ordure (or any bad smelling substance) and the fragrance of sandalwood. (Interpretation made by Dr. Jacobi).
2. The metaphorical interpretation is : The sandalwood, in spite of being cut by the adze, perfumes it ; in the same way, an ascetic benefits even his evil-doer (Interpretation made in some popular maxims and accepted by Abhayadeva Sūri).
3. Another metaphorical interpretation is : The phrase expresses a qualification of a person having equal attitude towards an evil-doer like the adze and benefactor like the sandalwood. (Alternative interpretation suggested by Abhayadeva Suri).
4. The direct and literal interpretation :-"A person when being slit with the adze by one person and smeared with the sandalwood by the other one, holds some attitude (of indifference) towards both without showing hatred or love. (Interpretation based on the original texts such as Jambūdvāpa Prajñapti Sūtra and Mahābhārata accepted by the commentators such as Haribhadra Sūri', Hemachandra and others).
1. See, for example, the verses of the popular poets such as Tulsidas and Sunderdas.
2. Haribhadra Suri seems to be well-acquainted with the original meaning and hence, in his commentary to the Āvasyaka Niryukti of Bhadrabāhu, he has made the same interpretation as No. 4. But Abhayadeva Suri seems to be unaware of this usage, and hence, in his commentary to the Uvaväia Sūtra and Haribhadrīya Aştaka (in which he has made corrections), he makes interpretation different from Haribhadra himself.
तुलसी प्रज्ञा
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