Book Title: Two Prakrit Versions of Manipati Charitra
Author(s): R Williams
Publisher: Royal Asiatic Society

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Page 303
________________ MAŅIPATI-CARITA OF HARIBHADAR TRANSLATION I. After adoring Mahāvīra the steadfast who is endowed with the thirty-four supernatural powers, I will tell the story of Manipati, that is full of jewels, to wit, 'the virtues of good sādhus. 2. There is here in Bharatavarsa a peerless city called Maņipatikā: its king was Maņipati, gracious to his subjects. 3. His queen was Pșthvi and their son was called Municandra: he evoked joy in the hearts of the people and was as a moon to the cluster of lotuses, his kinsfolk. 4. Now one day the king noticing a white hair felt the desire for renunciation and, placing his son on the throne, entered the ascetic life in the presence of Damaghosa. . 5. He studied the twofold teaching and in time, adept in preserving the six categories of jīvas, he entered on the noblest austerity of the solitary life. 6. When the cold season was come Manipati's wandering brought him to the park at Ujjain. At night whilst he was engaged there in the kāyotsarga, 7. shepherd-lads reverently covered him with robes. Whilst he was at ease hear what happened. 8. Outside that city there dwelt a Brahmin, Bhatta who had a wicked and unchaste wife named Dhanasri. 9. Because he had amassed much sesamum seed he was called by the people Tilabhațța. Through his stupidity he was unaware of his wife's evil conduct. 10. This Dhanaśrī whose mind lusted after luxuries secretly sold this sesamum seed and dissipated it. . II. Then this wicked woman pondered : What answer apt for this emergency shall I give my husband if questioned insistently?' 290

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