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THE RECOVERY OF DRAUPADI
293 Gandhana species. Practice self-control resolutely. If, having seen a woman, you touch her, afflicted by love, you will have a wavering mind, like duckweed struck by the wind.”
Thus enlightened by her, feeling repentance again and again, having given up all desire for pleasure, he observed a very severe vow. After confessing his sin to the Lord, he, pure-minded, continuing as an ordinary ascetic for a year, attained omniscience.
Dravya and bhāva worship (287-294) After wandering elsewhere, one day Śrī Nemi stopped again on Mt. Raivataka, the sun to the lotuses of bhavyas. Krşņa said to his sons, Pālaka, Sāmba, et cetera, “Whoever pays homage to the Lord first at dawn, to him I shall give the horse desired.” Hearing that, Prince Samba arose from ħis couch at dawn and, staying at home, worshipped Neminātħa mentally. Pālaka got up in the middle of the night, went on his fastest horse and paid homage to the Lord, reviling him in his heart, because he was an abhavya. When he was asked by Palaka for the horse Darpaka, Hari said, “I shall give the horse to the one whom the Master says was the first worshipper.” Questioned by Vişņu who had gone (there), “Who worshipped you first ? ” the Master said, “First by Pālaka in actual fact (dravya); by Śāmba in spirit (bhāva)." Asked by Krşņa again, “ What is this?” the Lord said, “ Pālaka is an abhavya; Jāmbavati's son is a bhavya.”
Rathāngapāni (Krsna), angered, quickly banished Pālaka who was devoid of spirituality; but gave Samba the finest horse in accordance with his request and made him governor of a large district.
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