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324 TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MAŅIPATI-CARITA 431. Nor did he tell of the curlew, that by it the grains had
been eaten. At that juncture there came along a
carrier of wood. 432. He dropped some logs and a small piece caught on the
neck of the curlew which vomited up the grains. Then
the goldsmith was terrified. 433. Learning of all this from the people Sreņika was angry
and despatched his guards to apprehend the goldsmith, 434. who shut his door, tore out his hair and donned a monk's
robe and when brought along together with his family
gave the dharmalābha to the king, 435. who said: 'You must unfailingly keep to the insignia of a
sādhu. If ever you and your family abandon this garb then there will be no escape for you from bonds and
death.' 436. And full of unlimited devotion he praised the great muni
Metārya, versed in the fourteen pūrvas and shining with the jewels of forbearance, compassion and know
ledge. 437. I bow down before the sage Metārya who, in the trans
gression of the curlew, out of compassion for living creatures, did not betray the curlew, esteeming his
own life of little worth. 438. I bow down before the sage Metārya who did not deviate
from his self control when his two eyes had burst forth from his head through the pressure on it and
like the Mandara mountain was unshakeable. 439. Here the story of Metārya has been related in brief only
to recall it : it is to be found elsewhere in the scriptures. 440. How will munis who, like Metārya with the curlew, do
not name a transgressor even at the cost of their lives,
steal the property of others ? 441. Thus in the Manipaticarita which charms by its euphonious
verses, the tale of Metārya, the fourth, has here been
told by Maņipati. 442. Then said Kuñcika : ‘Manipati, you are not like Metārya
since your whole action resembles that of Sukumälikā.
