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CHAPTER FOUR
study of his religious books, expert in his religion, he gradually went to Kurmagrāma before Śri Vira's arrival. Outside the village, he endured the sun's heat at midday, holding his arms erect, his gaze fixed on the sun, with a mass of twisted hair hanging down, like a banyan tree, motionless, naturally reverent, compassionate and courteous, tranquil, absorbed in pious meditation. From the sun's heat a louse fell to the ground. He, a depository of compassion, picked it up and threw it on his head again.
Gośāla observed him from the Master's side, approached him, and said: "Do you know the truth or are you offering a refuge to lice? Are you a woman or a man? For you can not be distinguished at all. " The ascetic, patient, made no reply at all, when he was addressed in this way. Again and again Gośāla spoke to him in the same way. Even if a dog's tail were put in a machine many times, it would be crooked. Then the ascetic became angry and discharged a hot flash. A fire is produced even from sandal by excessive rubbing. Terrified by the terrible flame of the hot-flash, the miserable Gośāla went to the Lord, like a forest-elephant, terrified by a forestfire, to a river. To rescue the wretched Gośāla the Master discharged a cold flash. The hot flash was put out by the cold flash like a fire by water. When he had seen the Master's power, Vaiśikāyana, astonished, approached Mahavira and said respectfully: Blessed One, I did not know that this man was a disciple of yours. So pardon such incorrect conduct on my part in this matter.
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After he had said this and had gone away, Gośāla said to the Lord, Blessed One, how is this hot flash acquired?" The Master said: "If any one observes two-day fasts constantly and, self-controlled, breaks the fast with a handful of unhusked pulse and a mouthful of water, at the end of six months, a very powerful hot flash will arise, irresistible, terrifying to enemies."
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The Supreme Lord, accompanied by Gośāla, left Kurmagrāma for the excellent town, Siddharthapura. When they
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| SR No. | 001006 |
| Book Title | Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6 |
| Original Sutra Author | Hemchandracharya |
| Author | Helen M Johnson |
| Publisher | Oriental Research Institute Vadodra |
| Publication Year | 1962 |
| Total Pages | 446 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English, Mythology, Story, N000, & N010 |
| File Size | 21 MB |