________________
382
VAJJALAGGAM
[762–
762) Oh ocean, bearing as you do the name of Ratnākara (repository of gems), why were you not dried up long ago, since the sailors sailing on your bosom and desirous of earning wealth, did not reach the other shore* ?
763) Oh ocean, proud of your waves and roarirg aloud, why were you not dried up long ago (or completely), since travellers, oppressed with thirst because of the heat of the summer, retreat (recede) from you with their faces turned away?
764) Oh ocean, how is it that you did not die for shame and did not become dejected (distressed) (Aan = fa quh) (or unconscious (fata)] with anxiety? For though you are there, the sea-faring people have to make (provide for) a special store of (drinkable) water.
765) Oh ocean, you were formerly fastened (by Rāma, with the setu), you were formerly drunk (quaffed off) (by Agastya) and you were also crossed (by the monkeys--followers of Rāma). Why are you then roaring aloud at a false (non-existent) achievement (i.e. why are you roaring aloud in the absence of any posi. tive achievement and in spite of these indignities)? Are you not ashamed? What shall we say?
766) Oh traveller, if you are eager for clear (pure, drinkable) water, do not go ahead, for this is an ocean. Very different are those regions of lakes, wherein the thirst for water disappears, being completely satisfied.
91. The Section on Gold 767) Oh my friend, how is it not proper to put (or throw) gold into fire, whenfie upon it, it is only stones (touch-stones) that assess the qualities (virtues) possessed by it ?
768) Not even by being burnt in fire, nor by being rubbed on a stone (touchstone), nor even by being cut into pieces, does gold suffer so much distress (pain), as when it is balanced against the Guñjā berries.
# The sense of the second half of the Gathā is obscure. Only a conjectural rendering has been attempted above.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
