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326 TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MAŅIPATI-CARITA 455. In the good story of the muni Maņipati which is like a
mālatī flower for swarms of bees represented by the minds of men the history of Sukumālikā, the fifth,
has been told by Kuñcika. 456. “Do not say I resemble Sukumālikā,' replied Manipati,
like the noble steer I will make you believe.' 457. In the city of Campā a Saivite for the sake of religion
let loose a steer in the cattle paddock as a stud bull. 458. [t was excessively arrogant and overcame the other bulls
and being strong and of massive body remained itself L undisturbed. 459. One day by the power of fate it suddenly attained to a
spirit of goodness and, leaving the paddock, stayed in
the city. 460. Even though struck with sticks it would not grow angry,
and with excellent perception having realised the results of evil-doing, became known among the people
as the 'noble steer.' 461. Now a good lay disciple named Jinadāsa who knew the
doctrine of the Jina dwelt there ; and in the black
fortnight was engaged in the kāyotsarga in a śünya-gyha, 462. By night his immoral wife went to the sūnya-gyha and
slept with another man on a fine bed. 463. On the four feet of that bed there were iron spikes and
one of these transfixed Jinadāsa's foot. 464. Even though his body was racked by the torment of it
that enduring disciple remained engaged in his austerity. 465. until through the extinction of life owing to the very great
pain he went to another world and was reborn as a
god in divine form. 466. Meantime she, having revelled in her lechery the night
long picked up the bed and set off for her own house. 467. When the bed was lifted up suddenly Jinadāsa's body
fell onto the ground. Seeing it she was terrified 468. and reflected in her mind : ‘As my husband has come
to his end through my fault I shall have an ill name here.'
