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 347

334 TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MAŅIPATI-CARITA 556. The lioness inspected her vomit but did not perceive
there meat or bones; on the contrary she found green
grass and similar fodder. 557. Recognising that the hind was guiltless, she then made
the jackal vomit and there she perceived the claws
and other remains of her offspring. 558. Enraged, she killed the jackal but showed respect to the
hind. Observe the discernment of the lioness, Kuñcika,
even in her brute nature.' 559. Thus in the Manipaticarita which is productive of per
vasive and very pure enlightenment, the story of the
lioness, the fourteenth, has here been told by Maņipati. 560. Despite that speech, the merchant, incapable of compre
hension because of great delusion, replied : You have become like the lion which was suffering from the cold.
Listen to this. 561. In the region of the Himavanta mountain there was
an anchorite's hermitage and there in a cave of a
near-by mountain lived a forester. 562. Intent on righteousness by continued contact with the
practice of asceticism he had become especially compassionate. One day a lion, suffering from the cold,
penetrated into his cave. 563. Through his compassionate heart that forester did not
prevent its entry, and, once inside, the lion ate him up. 564. Just as that forester despite his extreme kindness was
destroyed by that wicked lion so have I been treated
by you, unworthy man.' 565. Thus in the Manipaticarita which is attractive and delights
the minds of discerning people the story of the lion afflicted by cold, the fifteenth, has been told by
Kuñcika. 566. Having listened to Kuñcika's words the muni Manipati
replied: 'Hear the parable of the merchant Kāştha, the duty of a Jaina layman.