________________
378
VAJJALAGGAM
[732
732) Amongst all great trees, the sandal-tree, though innocent, is cut down, because it is vitiated by the presence of snakes, just as a good person comes into trouble because of his association with a bad (wicked) person.
85. The Section on the Vața (Banian) Tree
733) Oh noble (great) tree, why were you born on a high way? Or, if you were born (on a high way), why did you bear fruit ? Now, if you have put forth fruit, then you must endure mockery (ill treatment) by the birds (feasting on your fruit).
734) Oh Vața tree, if you had not been there (i.e. but for you), what would be the miserable condition of travellers (wayfarers), in the desert (arid) region, abounding in rough Sami trees and crowded with dry Karira and sharp Khadira trees ?
735) Even if the height of the Vața trees may be the result (consequence) of the peculiar quality of the soil, still the abundance of fruit would be determined by the (quality of the) seed.
86. The Section on the Tāla (Palm) Tree
736) Oh palm tree, what avails your tallness (loftiness) which half (i. e. almost) blocks the expanse of the sky, since you are not resorted to by way-farers scorched (i. e. tormented) by hunger and the fierce heat (of the sun) ?
737) Oh palm tree, you are devoid of shade, you do not afford shelter to anybody, you put forth your fruit far beyond the reach of men: your faults are immense and so is your height!
738) If he palm-tree does not yield fruit even to those by whom it was reared with watering service a hundred times (i. e. countless times), how can it then yield fruit to others (who have not watered it)?
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
