Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

by Helen M. Johnson | 1931 | 742,503 words

This page describes The story of Nandishena which is the eighth part of chapter VI of the English translation of the Mahavira-caritra, contained within the “Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra”: a massive Jain narrative relgious text composed by Hemacandra in the 12th century. Mahavira in jainism is the twenty-fourth Tirthankara (Jina) and one of the 63 illustrious beings or worthy persons.

Part 8: The story of Nandiṣeṇa

One day, enlightened by the Master’s preaching, with a wish to take the vow Nandiṣeṇa obtained King Śreṇika’s permission with difficulty. With his father’s approval, he left the house to take the vow and was addressed by a deity standing in the air as follows:

“Son, why are you eager to take the vow, since you have karma which has pleasure as its fruit and is obstructive to right conduct? Wait for some time at home. Become a mendicant when that karma is destroyed. Action at the wrong time does not bear fruit.”

Saying, “What will right-conduct-obstructive karma do to me delighting in association with sādhus?” he went to the Master’s presence. Though opposed by the Lord in the same way, very vehement from his zeal, he was given initiation at his lotus-feet. He practiced penances, fasts of two and three days, et cetera and wandered with the Lord in villages, mines, cities, et cetera.

Constantly, seated at his teacher’s feet, he studied the texts and their interpretation, enduring the trials. He emaciated his body very much by penance to prevent the desire for pleasure arising against his will because of the maturing of pleasure-karma. To prevent disturbances from the senses, daily he practiced severe burning in the sun in cemeteries, et cetera. Disturbances taking place against his will, angry at his senses, he began to hang himself, afraid that he would break the vow. The deity, obstructing his vow, cut his bonds and, when he struck himself with a knife, blunted the knife. When he ate poison, wishing to die, she made it without strength. When he entered the fire, at once she made the fire cool. He threw himself from a mountain-top and, catching him in midair, the deity said to him:

“Do you not remember what I said? Even the Jinas are not able to get rid of karma that has pleasure as its fruit without consuming it. Why do you make useless efforts to the contrary every day?”

Exhorted by her so, he, observing the practice of solitary wandering, went alone to take alms, wishing to break a fast of two days. Then by reason of the non-consumption (of the karma) he entered the house of a courtesan and the great muni gave the blessing, “Acquisition of dharma.” The courtesan replied with ridicule from hostility: “Our business is not with acquisition of dharma. There must be only acquisition of money.”

He thought, “Is this wretched woman laughing at me?” He pulled a sharp blade of grass and by a magic art made a heap of jewels fall. Saying, “Here is the acquisition of money,” he left the house. The courtesan ran after him in haste and said to him:

“Give up this penance hard to do. Enjoy pleasures with me. Otherwise, I shall certainly kill myself, lord of my life.”

Again and again addressed so by her, he agreed to her proposition because of subjection to pleasure-karma, although he knew that pleasures were sins. He made a vow: “I shall enlighten ten or more persons every day. If I do not, then I shall take initiation again.”

Giving up the outfit of a sage, he lived in her house, always thinking of the speeches of the deity and the Jina which had opposed initiation. He enjoyed pleasures with her and daily enlightened ten persons who were capable of emancipation and sent them to the Lord Jina for initiation, for days.

One day the karma which had pleasure as its fruit became consumed while he was bestowing enlightenment. Nine persons were enlightened, but not the tenth, who belonged to the goldsmith caste. While he was unenlightened, the courtesen, knowing that it was the proper time, told Nandiṣeṇa again and again that the meal was prepared. As his vow had not been fulfilled, he did not get up to eat, but continued enlightening the goldsmith earnestly with many arguments.

Then the courtesan said to him: “The food that was prepared before became tasteless. Food is ready again. Why do you delay, lord?”

Nandiṣeṇa said: “The tenth person has not been enlightened. I myself shall be the tenth today. I shall take initiation again.”

After telling her this, knowing that the pleasure-fruit had been consumed, Nandiṣeṇa left and took initiation again under the Master. High-minded Nandiṣeṇa wandered with the Lord Jina after confessing his evil conduct and, keeping a sharp vow, went to heaven.

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