‘At that very moment someone in another room said in a soft voice, “There is no doubt. He will end up in the place you have chosen for him.” I did not hear these words, but Vaiśvānara did and he thought to himself, “I shall succeed. He will go to hell when he takes these pills. Once he gets there he will have a long life, right there in hell. What else could those words mean? Hell is exactly the place I have chosen for him.” The thought of all this brought joy to his heart. I said to him, “What can I not accomplish with you as my best friend and at my service?” When he heard these words he was doubly pleased and handed over the pills to me. I took them from him. He told me, “Prince! You must do me one more favour. When I give you the sign, you must not hesitate; you must swallow one of the pills.” I replied, “You need not ask. I have already handed over my life to you, my best friend.” Vaiśvānara said, “Great indeed is your favor. The prince does me great honor.”
‘Now my father had appointed one of his favorite and most trustworthy young servants to watch over me, saying, “Listen here, Vidura! I said to the prince, ‘You must devote yourself wholeheartedly to the mastery of the arts. Do not come to see me. I will come to you.’ But I have been so busy with managing my kingdom that I have not yet had the chance to go and see the prince. You must give me a daily report on how the prince is doing.” Vidura replied, “As my lord commands.” And when Vidura was carrying out the duty with which he had been entrusted, he saw exactly how I was tormenting the other princes and even the teacher. For a while he hesitated to tell my father, not wanting to cause him pain, but when he saw how things had gotten totally out of control he did tell him. My father thought to himself, “Now it is true that Vidura would never lie to me, but the prince has never behaved like this before. I don’t understand what has happened.” He was disturbed by this thought, “If the prince torments the teacher too, then what is the use of his mastering the arts.” He then decided, “It is time for me to ask the teacher what is going on. Once I know what the prince is doing I can figure out some way to stop him.” And so he sent Vidura to summon the teacher.
‘My father respectfully rose to greet the teacher. He offered him a seat, honored him and then when the teacher had given him leave to sit too, my father said, “Noble Buddhisamudra, Ocean of Wisdom, are the princes learning the arts?” He replied, “Indeed my lord, by your grace, they learn well.” My father then asked, “Has Prince Nandivardhana also mastered the arts?” The teacher answered, “My lord, Prince Nandivardhana has indeed mastered the arts. He is accomplished in all the arts. For example, he has mastered all the scripts; he can teach mathematics. He might have invented the science of grammar himself. He knows astrology and has mastered the art of prognostication with all its branches. He even explained to the others the science of versification. He is skilled in dancing and has mastered the art of singing. The art of taming elephants is under his control, as a woman is under the control of her lover. Archery is like a devoted friend to him and medicine is like his familiar companion. Alchemy stands ready to do his bidding, while such things as the skill at interpreting auspicious and inauspicious marks on a person, the ability to cut fine designs on the leaves of plants and a ready knowledge of what to buy and what to sell wait upon him like faithful serving maids. What more need I say? There is no art that has not reached its pinnacle, having found the prince to practice it.”
‘At that my father’s eyes were brimming with tears of joy. He said, “Noble One, is it any wonder that such should be the case, when you are the prince’s teacher? Fortunate indeed is the prince to have a teacher like you.” Buddhisamudra responded, “My lord, do not say such things. I am insignificant. It is all due to your greatness that the prince has succeeded so well.” My father replied, “Noble One! You flatter me. It is on account of you that the prince has become the vessel in which are contained all of the arts, and I am so filled with joy.” Buddhisamudra now said, “If that is so, then there is something I must tell you, for it is said that those who are entrusted with a task by their sovereigns should never deceive them. My lord must decide if I have spoken rightly or wrongly and must pardon me for what I say. It is indeed rare, my lord, for words to be both true and pleasing at the same time.” My father said, “Speak, noble man. What need have you to ask for clemency when you speak the truth?” Buddhisamudra said, “In that case, I will speak. When you rejoiced that the prince has become the vessel in which are contained all of the arts, well, there is no question that such is the case if you consider the prince’s natural ability. But all of the prince’s many accomplishments are marred by a single imperfection, as the moon is stained by a dark spot on its surface, as a red lotus is flawed by having thorns, as wealth is tarnished by stinginess, as a woman is blemished by a lack of modesty, as men are sullied by cowardice and as religious practice is defiled if it causes pain to others. Your son’s flaw is his friendship with Vaiśvānara; tranquility is essential ta proficiency in all of the arts, but this Vaiśvānara, your son’s dangerously evil companion, is always with him and he employs all of his powers to destroy the prince’s peace of mind. The prince is totally deluded and he thinks that Vaiśvānara, who in reality is his worst enemy, is his best friend. The natural flow of the nectar of tranquility, which is the very essence of knowledge, has been obstructed in the prince by his evil friend. And so all of his many virtues are now useless.”
‘When my father heard this it was as if he had been struck by a bolt of lightning. He was overpowered by great sorrow. My father said to the trusted Vidura, “Sir! There is no more need to fan me with palm fronds that feel as cool as a spray of sandalwood essence. It is not a physical fire that burns me; it is a mental fire. Go and summon the prince so that I can rid myself of this unbearable inner fire that rages within me, by putting an end to his consorting with evil friends.”
‘Vidura put down the palm frond and prostrated himself before the king, saying, “As the king commands. But given the enormity of the task, the king must not be angry with me if I speak beyond my station.” My father replied, “There can be no cause for anger towards one who speaks out to help another. Kind sir, say what you will.” Vidura spoke, “Lord, in that case I will speak. I have known the prince for a long time and I know that Vaiśvānara is his very dear friend No one will be able to separate them. The prince thinks that Vaiśvānara is actually good for him. He cannot bear to be without him even for an instant. When Vaiśvānara is not there the prince becomes anxious and agitated. He thinks he is totally worthless, as worthless as a blade of grass, Without Vaiśvānara. I am convinced that if anyone says anything to the prince about giving up Vaiśvānara, the prince will become extremely upset; he might even kill himself or do something else drastic and disastrous. And so I believe that the king must not say anything to the prince about this.” Buddhisamudra concurred, adding, “Lord, everything that Vidura has said is true. I too have been trying to keep the prince from consorting with his evil friend. I kept thinking that if only the prince could be made to separate from his friend he would come to his senses and be himself once more. But I also thought that the bond of affection that binds them is so strong that the prince might come to some harm if he is forced to give up his friend. And so I had come to the conclusion that it was not possible to prevent the prince from being friends with Vaiśvānara.” My father then said, “Noble sir, then what can we do?” Buddhisamudra replied, “Lord! I have heard that a sage who knows the past, present and future, has come. His name is Jinamatajña, “Knower of the Doctrine of the Jinas”. He can foretell the future and is expert at reading omens. It is possible that he might know what can be done.” My father said, “Good idea, gentleman, good idea. Summon him at once.” Vidura replied, “As my lord commands.”
‘Vidura then went out and soon came back with that sage, who was skilled in reading omens. My father was delighted when he saw the sage. He offered him a seat and honored him with all the appropriate ceremony and then proceeded to tell him what was going on. The sage went into a sta
te of yogic trance in which he saw the entire situation. Then he told my father, “Great king! There is no other way. There is only one solution and it is not going to be easy.” My father said, “Tell me what it is, O noble man!” Jinamatajña said, ‘Listen, O Great King!
‘There is a city called Perfection of the Mind. It is a place devoid of misfortune; it is the abode of every good virtue. It is the cause of every kind of happiness and prosperity, but it is a place that is not easily reached by those of little merit.
‘“The fortunate people who live in this city are never harassed by the thieves, passion and its cohorts.
‘“There hunger and thirst never afflict a man; and so the wise say that it is a place that is devoid of misfortune.
‘“Through its power men acquire knowledge and other desirable qualities; skill in the arts is not possible anywhere else.
‘“The people who live there have all the virtues, like nobility of character, dignity, steadfastness and courage, and so it is said to be the abode of every good virtue.
‘“The people who live there go from one happy experience to another, each more intense than the one before it.
‘“Nothing ever attacks this city and so it is said to be the cause of every kind of happiness and prosperity.
‘“And because it is devoid of all misfortune and adorned by every positive quality, the cause of happiness and prosperity, meritorious beings joyfully seek out that city, Perfection of the Mind, which is difficult for those of little merit to reach.
‘“In that city reigns King Śubhaparināma, Auspicious Leanings. He promotes the welfare of all living beings. He is alert to punish the wicked and on guard to protect the good citizens; he is endowed with both wealth to dispense and the might with which to punish.
‘“Since he is capable of putting an end to all worry, mere contact with him causes great joy.
‘“He sets people on the right path, and that is why valiant men say that he promotes the welfare of all living beings.
‘“The king is never idle, always engaged in destroying passion, hatred, great delusion, anger, greed, intoxication, confusion, lust, jealousy, sadness, despondency and other things that cause people to suffer, and that constantly torment people, forcing them to commit evil deeds.
‘“Knowledge, withdrawal from worldly desires, contentment, renunciation and gentleness, things like these that bring joy to everyone, are what are called here “the good citizens”. The king is always on guard to protect them, uninterested in any other duties.
‘“His treasury is filled with these jewels: the good virtues, wisdom, steadfastness, mindfulness, desire to pursue the religious path, and freedom from desires.
‘“His method of punishment is his fourfold army, in which the chariots, elephants, horses and foot soldiers are the components of leading a virtuous life.
‘“The king, intent upon punishing the wicked, constantly vigilant in protecting the good, is thus said to be endowed with both wealth to dispense and the might with which to punish.
‘“The chief queen of this king Auspicious Leanings is named Nisprakampatā, Fortitude. She wins the beauty contest because of her physical allure. She has conquered all the three worlds, heaven, earth and the netherworld, with her skill in the various arts, and she puts to shame even Rati, wife of the God of Love, with her charms. In her faithfulness to her husband she surpasses even Arundhatī, wife of the sage Vasistha, known far and wide for her chastity.
‘“If one were to take all of the most beautiful women in the three worlds, goddesses in heaven, mortal women on earth and demon women in the underworld, and carefully deck them out with jewels so that they might tempt the sages to break their vows of chastity, Queen Fortitude would be in another camp altogether. For the minds of the sages are attached to her and to no other woman. And so it is said that she wins the beauty contest because of her physical allure.
‘“All of the gods, including Rudra, Indra, Visu, and Candra, skilled in the arts, and others who are famous in the three worlds for their skill, all of them without exception have been conquered by greed and lust and the other mental enemies.
‘“That is why it is said that they do not really have any great skill. But this queen has some wondrous skill, beyond words, for she effortlessly conquers all these mental enemies. Thus it is said that with her skill she has conquered the three worlds.
‘“The amorous charms of the Goddess Rati bring delight only to her husband Kāma, the God of Love; sages know nothing at all of them. But this lady’s charms, which include steadfast practice of the monastic vows, stir the minds of the sages. And so it is said that with her charms she puts to shame the charms of Rati.
‘“Let me tell you now in what way she is faithful to her husband. She infuses her own life into her husband when he is in danger and renews his strength. That is why it is said that she is faithful to her husband. But Arundhatī was not able to save her husband and so it is said that she has been surpassed by Queen Fortitude, who was even more devoted to her husband.
‘“Need I say more? In every endeavor she ensures her husband of success. Queen Fortitude is the most vital person in his kingdom.
‘“This royal couple, Auspicious Leanings and Fortitude, have a daughter named Ksānti, Forbearance, who is the epitome of all that is beautiful, the birthplace of everything that is marvellous, the jewel box of a heap of jewels, namely virtuous qualities. By her unusual beauty she even succeeds in captivating the minds of the sages.
‘“She is a constant source of joy when worshipped; just thinking about her puts an end to all sins.
‘“The man upon whom that lady with lovely eyes playfully gazes is praised by the wise, who call him a noble soul.
‘“The man whom she embraces, I think, will become a ruler over all men, a mighty Emperor of the world.
‘“And so it is said that there is no women more desirable than she in the world; for these reasons wise men declare that she is the epitome of all that is beautiful.
‘“All of the most excellent states of mind, right meditation, omniscience, the powers that come from the cultivation of yogic states, tranquility and the like, all of these things that are a constant source of wonder and are endless in number, spanning past, present and future, arise through her favour in those living beings who worship her. For this reason she is said to be the birthplace of everything that is marvellous.
‘“Listen to me now as I explain why I have said that she is like a jewel box. There are many virtues in this world that are considered to be valuable like jewels:
‘“For example, generosity, good conduct, practice of austerities, knowledge, a good family, handsome form and courage, truthfulness, purity, honesty, absence of greed, heroism, wealth and the like.
‘“All of these rest in Forbearance, which is their support. That is why the wise say that she is a jewel box.
‘“These virtues do not shine without Forbearance, which is their foundation.
‘“Here is another way of saying all of this:
Forbearance alone is the great act of charity; forbearance is great austerity.
Forbearance is the highest knowledge; forbearance is the greatest restraint.
Forbearance is perfect conduct; forbearance is the most noble of family lineages.
Forbearance is the greatest heroism; forbearance is the greatest act of courage.
Forbearance is contentment; forbearance is control of the sense organs.
Forbearance is the highest purity; forbearance is the highest compassion.
Forbearance is great greatest physical beauty; forbearance is great power.
Forbearance is great riches; forbearance is said to be steadfastedness.
Forbearance is the Absolute that some call Brahma; forbearance is truth.
Forbearance is the highest release; forbearance is the source of all accomplishments.
Forbearance and nothing else in this world is worthy of worship; forbearance is the most propitious and auspicious of
all things.
Forbearance is the best of all medicines that puts an end to all diseases.
Forbearance and nothing else is the four-fold vast army that destroys all enemies.
What more need I say? Everything depends on Forbearance.
‘“That is why it is said that this woman captivates the minds of the sages. What thinking man would not turn his mind to a woman like this?
The Forest of Thieves and the Magic Garden: An Anthology of Medieval Jain Stories (Penguin Classics) Page 35
