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232 TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MAŅIPATI-CARITA 1192. The muni said : From the telling of parables you derive
no enlightenment. Listen to this tale : if you do not
understand you are certainly a fool. 1193. In Rājagrha, Kuncika, there was a merchant Kāştha of
excellent qualities. His wife was Vajrā and their son
was Sāgaradatta, 1194. who was exercising himself in all the arts and was all the
time in the study. This merchant had as dear friends
three domestic birds. 1195. a parrot named Tundika, a mynah named Madana-salākā,
who both talked liked human beings and to complete
the three a cock. 1196. One day Kāştha set out on a journey to distant parts
and said to his wife : 'When I have departed for other
countries listen to my advice : 1197. special luxuries that take the form of minium and
saffron and unguents and baths and betel and collyrium -
go away together with the departing husband. 1198. and are again available to women of good family when
he comes back. You must guard your virtue, the
child, the nurse, the property and the house.' 1199. And having so instructed these birds as his friends and
loved ones he took his wares and went to another
country. 1200. Whilst she was occupied with the affairs of her household
a temple brahmin used to dine there every day, 1201. and he made a fourth. Now Vajrā fell in love with him
and he would come at night and then make love with
her violently. 1202. Knowing of this the mynah said: “There is one who is
breaking the branch: who comes into our mother's
house and who is not afraid of our father.' 1203. Then said the parrot : Madanā, be silent: he who eats
meat with and lives with our mother becomes our brother.'
