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154 TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MAŅIPATI-CARITA 239. In autumn in the lake covered with lotus leaves the swan
sleeps with his beloved, as it were, like an ornate
necklace bunched together within an emerald vessel. 240. In autumn in the water glistening with flowers and in the
firmament with its canopy of stars the solitary royal
swan contemns the loveliness of the moon. 241. Thus the reverent sage gradually passed through the
autumn time and he addressed Kuñcika, the disciple
of Jaina ascetics in these words : 242. 'The sugar-cane is outstripping its hedge; the gourds
are plump-bellied ; the oxen are full of vigour; and in
the villages the wind has dried up the mud. 243. The roads have little water, the earth has become baked
clay, the paths are trod by others, it is time for sādhus
to be on the move.' 244. Then said Kuncika : 'Do you want to leave me, un
fortunate that I am ?' The muni replied : 'Meetings
end in partings. 245. Then Kuñcika, the disciple of Jaina ascetics said to the
muni : Reverend sir, when shall I see your feet?'.
The muņi said : 246. 'Ascetics and birds and swarms of bees and herds of cattle
and autumnal clouds have no fixed abiding place.' 247. Kuñcika thought : 'The sādhu is getting ready to depart
so I will take a look at the stored hoard there.' 248. As he searched he found that spot empty; then suddenly
feeling faint (like one asleep?) he thought in his heart : 249.*This was known to the reverend sage and to me but not
to any third person, so I think it must have been taken
by this muni. 250. Alas, alas, this avarice has an ill result that a disciple
should harbour against such an excellent muni an
unmentionable suspicion. A prey to this thought 251. everywhere restless, imagining people everywhere to be
his enemies, he the miser did not find peace even for a moment.
