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 323

310 TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MAŅIPATI-CARITA 252. At sight of you a memory of my former existence sud
denly came to me, and with those two herbs known
to me from the former existence, 253. you were thus made whole of your wounds. But now
listen to my story: I have been driven out of the
herd by another powerful monkey, 254. so if you kill him and make me lord of the herd for my
good deed you will have done a favour in return.' 255. Having put into execution those words I went to the
robber village again by stealth and killed the chieftain.
Then I took my wife and went home. 256. Thus, honourable sir, averse from the poison of sensual
pleasure through seeing the actions of my wife I received
the initiation which is very faultless. 257. So, Abhaya, honourable sir, this great fear experienced
aforetime came back to my mind and I uttered the
word ‘Mahā-bhaya'. 258. Now the muni named Dhanada came in there in the third
watch and said : Ati-bhaya': so Abhaya asked him : 259. Whence is your intense fear?' He said: “This was
experienced of old. Abhaya asked : 'Tell me,
reverent sir, how this was experienced by you.' 260. Then Dhanada said : In a village near Ujjain I was,
once the son of a kşatriya family illustrious by its
virtues. 261. I, in bloom of youth and pride of race, espoused a girl
born of an excellent family living in the city of Ujjain. 262. I took my sword and set out for my father-in-law's
house to fetch her. At the hour of twilight I arrived
at the cemetery of Ujjain. 263. I saw a woman, her lotus face covered with a strip of
cloth, wailing with piteous voice near a man empaled
on a stake. 264. Compassion was evoked in me and I said to her : Why
do you weep, lady?' Then in a faltering voice she started to recite :