Yasastilaka and Indian Culture

Author(s): Krishnakant Handiqui
Publisher: Jain Sanskruti Samrakshak Sangh Solapur

Page 95

76
YAŠASTILAKA AND INDIAN CULTURE "I undertake the eightfold worship of the Exalted Jewel of Right Conduct, preceded by the five Parameşthins, and fivefold in character that produces all good, and culminates in the absolute cessation of all forms of activity. All hail! It destroys the darkness that obstructs the view of the entire universe. It is the Himālaya of unblemished knowledge ; the moonrise of festive joy to all living creatures; and the springtime of the creepery grove of all the vows and modes of self-restraint and vigilance. It is the nursery of the Kalpa trees of religious austerities that vouchsafe mighty results, and it is practised by those who possess humility, mental calm, a kindly disposition and fortitude. The wise call this Jewel of Right Conduct the first step to the attainment of the supreme goal. Further, intent on Dharma, and for the purpose of vanquishing my enemy, Karma, I resort to the way of life of the Dharmayogin, the best of men. It bring happiness to all living creatures.”
Somadeva's style is enlivened by the occasional use of popular maximg occurring chiefly in his prose and sometimes also in verses. For example,
Paret yostacat 77927' (Book IV): Enquiring as to an auspicious date for shaving one's head after one has already finished it. As pointed out by Jacob, Laukikanyāyāñjali, Part II, this proverb occurs in the Nyāyamañjari in the form मुण्डितशिरोनक्षत्रान्वेषणम् . The proverb 'श्रेयांसि बहुविघ्नानि' (Book I) occurs at the beginning of a popular verse cited, for example, by Haribhadra at the commencement of his own commentary on his Anekāntajayapatākā:
श्रेयांसि बहविघ्नानि भवन्ति महतामपि । अश्रेयसि प्रवृत्तानां वापि यान्ति विनायकाः॥ 'carinat 2121: TET TUOTT ofa:' (Book IV): On one side a precipice, on the other a tiger; how can a living creature pass? To be between the devil and the deep sea. This and two other similar sayings are cited in Nalacampū, Book V: Fat 0279 gadst, at Tallarat fra:, gat geerara çatstg777' Pat -91277 1.
Tua it A FOT777: big fagra, faqen e Hat' (Books VII & V): Sovereignty leads to hell, employment to captivity, trust in women to death, and friendship with villains to dlanger. Tact #: a Tar:' occurs in a verse of Book IV. aT ga a g ' Ibid.' TA A trategi yaoi ain' Ibid.
1 For the fivefold Cáritra (conduct) see Chap. XI ( section on Cáritrabhakti). 2 Effective control over mind, body, and speech (Fraufà, togfa and Faitge). Tattvärtha
dhigama-sütra 9.4. 3 saata (Proper care in walking), Tareqa (Proper care in speaking), quam
(Proper care in eating), sra E AR (Proper care in lifting and depositing), and
Schiffa (Proper care in excretion). Ibid.9.5. 4 See Chap. XII.