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296 TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MAŅIPATI-CARITA 77. One crafty cow preserved her calf by giving birth to it in
secret in the confines of a hermitage. 78. This calf grew up there with the boys of the hermitage
and was aptly named Secanaka because he watered
the garden. 79. Wandering abroad he met his father and in pride of
mind slew him and took command of the herd. . Then
he thought : 80. Some other cow may rear her offspring here in the
hermitage as did my mother.' So thinking he destroyed
the hermitage. 81. Just as that elephant requited ill those kindly ascetics,
so have you, muni, requited me by stealing my property. 82. Thus in the Manipaticarita, the story that is productive
of forbearance and restraint and enlightenment and the desire for release, the tale of Secanaka, the first,
has been told by the lay disciple Kuñcika. 83. The muni replied : Do not speak thus, but listen to my
parable of the muni Susthita that you may know the
virtues of sādhus. 84. In the land of Magadha there is a city Rājagsha. There
the king was Śrenika, who had two wives, one Nandā,
the other Cellanā. 85. Nandā's son, Abhaya was minister. The Jina Mahāvīra
arrived there at the garden of Guņaśilā together with
his good sādhus. 86. The gods made a samavaşarana for him and Śreņika,
learning of this came reverently to worship and heard
the exposition of the sacred law. 87. Then he saw a leper bedewing the feet of the Jina with
pus from his body and was moved to anger against him. 88. Meantime the Jina sneezed, so the leper bade him :
Die at once.' When Abhaya sneezed he said :
'Live or die. 89. When Śreņika sneezed he said : ‘Live, king Śreņika.'
When Saukarika sneezed he said : Live not nor die.'
