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THE INITIATION AND OMNISCIENCE OF AJITA 73
Their marriages (72–77) Then King Jitaśatru and Mahendra themselves talked to Lord Ajita about marriage, though he was free from passion. Because of their importunity and knowing that he had karma with pleasure as its fruit, Ajita Svāmin replied, “Very well,” to their speech. Then the King married to him hundreds of magnificent royal maidens like other embodiments of Śri who had chosen their husband. Not satisfied by his son's marriage-festival, the King married royal maidens resembling goddesses to Sagara. Lord Ajita, though unsubdued by the senses, enjoyed pleasure with his wives in order to destroy his pleasurekarma. For the cure is in accordance with the disease. Sagara amused himself with his wives in various and numerous sports in many play-grounds, like an elephant with elephant-cows.
Initiation of Jitaśatru (78-100) One day, King Jitaśatru, who was disgusted with existence, and his brother said to their sons who had reached the age of eighteen lacs of pūrvas : “Sons, all our ancestors took the vow, which is fundamental for acquiring emancipation, after they had protected the earth fittingly for some lacs of purvas and had transferred it to their sons. Henceforth, this same action of others is our action. Now, princes, we two are going to take the vow, and the custom in our family is the reason for our action. Then you two will be king and heir-apparent, like us. Give your consent now to our mendicancy.”
Ajita Svāmin replied : “Father, this is fitting for you. It would be fitting for me also, if karma with pleasure as its fruit were not an obstacle. A discerning man places no obstacle in the way of another taking the vow. How much less shall I hinder my esteemed father who has appointed a suitable time! Whoever wards off the fourth object of existence (mokşa) from his father, even though from devotion, has certainly arisen as his enemy in the
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