Two Prakrit Versions of Manipati Charitra

Author(s): R Williams
Publisher: Royal Asiatic Society

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TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MANIPATI-CARITA
1002. Kanakaśri was bathing unsuspectingly with Dhanasri in the waters of a tank and left her ornaments on the bank. 1003. When Dhanaśri came out she took her friend's ornaments and went home. Kanakaśri thought that
1004.
this was a joke but when she asked for the ornaments back later on Dhanaśrī said: 'My father had these made for me, his daughter.'
1005. Despite repeated demands she would not hand back the ornaments so Kanakaśrī told her father everything.
1006. He then demanded them but she would not give them up, insisting they were hers. He informed the judges and they
1007. The other father shouted: 'Dhanaśrī put on these ornaments'. She put them on but not in the right places
1008. or with elegance. Then they told Kanakaśrī and she put them on in the right places and with elegance.
1009. The ornaments were then restored to Kanakaśrī and she was commended whilst the other girl was punished. So will I too put you to the test, Kuñcika.'
IOIO. Kuñcika said: You, reverent sir, are like the brahmin.' The muni asked: Who was this brahmin?' Kuñcika replied:
IOII. A poor brahmin was living alone in a village. When a famine came he fashioned an image of a goddess in wood
1012. and wandered about with it everywhere singing and received money and food and other things. In course of time he became rich by virtue of it.
1013. Then acting according to his own arbitrary will he abandoned the image far away. Your conduct, reverent sir, is every bit as reprehensible.
1014. The muni said: 'If Nagadatta, when he saw an earring adorned with priceless jewels and gems, kept far away from it..