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MARRIAGES OF VASUDEVA WITH MAIDENS 39 non-dharma. Dharma must be practiced by the seeker of happiness. Certainly happiness is not from self-destruction; but dharma is the source of happiness in birth after birth through mendicancy.
Enlightened by hearing that, he took the vow at his feet and, after he had finished his studies, took a vow of service to sādhus. In his assembly Purandara described him as performing service to sādhus, the young, the sick and others, 44 free from disgust with existence. One of the gods did not believe Sakra's speech and, assuming the form of a sick sādhu, went to a forest near Ratnapura. After assuming the dress of a second sādhu, he went to his (Nandişeņa's) dwelling and, a morsel having been taken to break fast, he said to Nandişeņa:
"How, sir, can you eat now when there is a muni outside, who is exhausted by hunger and thirst, suffering from dysentery, when you have vowed service to sādhus?' Leaving his food, Nandişeņa went to search for water and the god began to make it impure 45 by his power. It did not become apparent because of the power of the muni, who possessed magic arts; and then he found pure water some place.
Nandişeņa went to the sick sage and was scolded harshly by the false muni. 'I am in such a condition, but you, greedy for food, did not come quickly! Shame upon your vow of service.' Nandişeņa said: "Pardon this fault of mine. I shall cure you. This water is suitable for you. After giving him water to drink, he said, 'Stand up,' and the sick muni said, 'Shame, stupid! Do you not see that I am not able ?!
Then Nandişeņa put the false muni on his shoulder and was abused by him at every step as he went along: 'Villain, why do you hurt me serverely by jolting because you are going very fast? Go slowly, slowly, if you are performing true service.' So instructed, he went very slowly. The god defecated on him and said, 'Why do you interrupt your speed?'
44 30. Vaiyāvsttya. See I, n. 123. 45 34. Anesaņiya, technically impure for a sadhu,
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| SR No. | 001005 |
| Book Title | Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 5 |
| Original Sutra Author | Hemchandracharya |
| Author | Helen M Johnson |
| Publisher | Oriental Research Institute Vadodra |
| Publication Year | 1962 |
| Total Pages | 507 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English, Mythology, & Story |
| File Size | 11 MB |