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

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Page 351
________________ 338 TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MANIPATI-CARITA 603. She replied: This is your father, my son, who took the It is long since I saw him and therefore I began to weep.' VOWS. 604. Then the king ushered him into his house onto the best seat and said: 'Take this kingdom, I am your servant.' 605. Vajrā, learning of the turn of events, aghast with fear, fled together with the brahmin and the king became a devotee of the monk. 606. Then the muni preached the sacred doctrine and the king was converted by it and, with desire for release aroused in him, embarked on the duties of a lay disciple. 607. As a favour to him the sadhu remained there for the rainy season and the fame of the sacred doctrine spread and some people were converted. 608. And in the Jaina temples there were yatras and pūjās and the brahmins became jealous of this thinking: 609. Through the coming of this monk the Jaina doctrine has acquired glory so let us ruin him by some means.' " 610. Listen to what was done by the brahmins when, the rainy season being past, the noble monk went out accompanied by the king. 611. A certain wicked woman, being pregnant and being desirous of much money was sent along to the muni in the garb of a female ascetic. 612. At the bidding of the brahmins this is what she said in the presence of all the people : Reverent sir, where are you going now that you have made me pregnant? 613. Then in order to wipe away the stain on the Jain doctrine produced by that speech the muni said: 'You very wicked woman, I did not give you this child.' 614. If my words be true then let it burst your belly and issue forth at once as soon as this is said.'. 615. When the muni had thus spoken the child burst the belly and issued forth and the female ascetic fell on the ground in a swoon.

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