Two Prakrit Versions of Manipati Charitra

SR No.: 007017
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: R Williams
Publisher: Royal Asiatic Society
Publication Year: 1959
Total Pages: 384
Language: English, Prakrit
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

Page 313

300 TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MANIPATI-CARITA 126. The king said: 'What is this on your lap?' The other
replied: 'The monk's broom.' When the king asked:
What is achieved by this?, the muni replied: 127. 'Tīvas are preserved.' Then why do you kill fish?' asked
the king. The muni replied: 'In the bazaar I shall buy
a blanket with them.' 128. The king indicated the reason for not taking life and
bestowed on him a blanket. Then as he was going
along he saw in the bazaar a female sādhu pregnant. 129. Preventing scandal to the Jina's teaching, his mind un
deviatingly fixed on the sacred law, the king kept her
in secret and harboured her until the day of birth. 130. Thus as the king could not be shaken the god, gratified,
revealed himself and said : ‘Blessed are you, lord of
men.'
131. So take this necklace and these two spheres, I am going
to the heaven world.' So saying the god went at
once to the abode of gods. 132. And he said as he set out : 'But whatsoever man shall
put together this necklace if broken shall die assuredly.'. 133. The king gave to Cellanā the necklace of lovely form,
and to Nandā the two spheres. She was angry and
broke them, 134. and saw two dresses and two ear-rings that came out
from them. Delighted she picked them up but
Cellanā seeing this 135. said: 'Lord, give this to me.' He replied: 'I cannot
give you what was given to her.' Then the queen was angry and climbed to the upper storey, in order
to die. - 136. As she looked down with the intention of jumping off
through the aperture of a skylight, she saw three people
standing on the ground down below; 137. the elephant groom and the elephant rider conversing in
very soft words with the courtesan Mahasenā who was in an extremely excited mood.