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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
382
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
VAJJĀLAGGAM
[ 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 roaring 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) (faaa=faq) [or unconsci ous (fat)] 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 Rama). Why are you then roaring aloud at a false (non-existent) achievement (i.e. why are you roaring aloud in the absence of any positive 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, when-fie 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 Guñja berries.
The sense of the second half of the Gatha is obscure. Only a conjectural rendering has been attempted above.
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