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262
CHAPTÉR TEN Both, noble, eager to abandon existence, went to Mt. Vaibhāra and observed a fast."
Then Bhadrā went with Śreņika to Mt. Vaibhāra and saw them placed in such a way, as if they were made of stone. Seeing his miserable condition and recalling his comforts, she wept, making Mt. Vaibhāra weep, as it were, by the echoes.
“Do not show me disfavor, son, because miserable I, having little luck, through carelessness did not know you when you came to my house. Even if you have deserted us, yet you will rejoice our eyes by the sight of you. This was my wish formerly. Now you are intent on destroying that wish of mine, by this undertaking with the purpose of abandoning the body, son. The penance which you undertook there, I do not oppose for you; but this is much harsher. You became like a slab of stone.200
Then Śreņika said: “Why do you weep instead of rejoicing? You who have such a son, alone among women, have a son. He, knowing the fundamental principles, noble, having abandoned wealth like straw, reached the Master's feet like the highest place (emancipation) before his eyes. He practiced penance suitable for a disciple of the Master of the World. Why is he annoyed uselessly by you, foolish woman, because of your woman's nature?'
Thus enlightened by the king, Bhadră paid homage to the great munis and, disconsolate, went to her own house. Śreņika did likewise.
After the two gieat munis died, they became chief-gods in the heavenly palace named Sarvārthasiddha, immersed in an ocean of wonderful joy, with life-terms of thirty-three sāgaras.
200 196. See Text Corrections.
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