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5
PREVIOUS BIRTHS With practices of this kind, Marici wandered with the Master and the Master stopped in a samavasaraņa again in Vinitā. When he was questioned in it by Cakrin Bharata after paying homage to him, the Lord named the future Arhats, Cakrins, Vişņus, Prativişņus, and Balas. Bharata asked again, “ Is there any one here in the assembly who will be a Tirthakệt in this country of Bharata, like yourself, Lord?” The Master showed him Marici and said: “This son of yours will be the last Tirthakệt, named Vira, here in Bharata. He will be the first Sārngabhột (Vāsudeva) here, named Triprstha, in the city Potana and will be the Cakrabhịt Priyamitra in the city Mūkā in the Videhas.”
When he had heard that, Bharata took leave of the Lord, went to Marici, circumambulated him three times, saluted him respectfully, and said:**
“The Master said that you will be the last Arhat here in Bhārata; the first Vāsudeva, named Triprstha, Lord of Potana; and a cakrin, named Priyamitra, in Mūkā in Videha. Your mendicancy is not to be honored; you are honored because you are a future Arhat.”
When he had said this to him, the cakravartin bowed again to the Master, reverent-minded, and entered the city Vinītā, delighted.
Marici's pride (56–59)
When he had heard that, Marici jumped three steps three times from joy and said aloud:
“I shall be the first Vişņu; in the city Mūkā there will be the rank of cakravartin; I shall be the last Arhat. Enough of anything else for me. I shall be the first of the Vasudevas; my father is first of the cakravartins; my grandfather is the first of the Tirthakşts. Oh ! Indeed, my family is the highest.”
Thus, showing pride in caste, 13 clapping his hands
13 59. Jātimada is pride in caste, but ordinarily Marici is said to have suffered from kulamada, pride in family. E.g. below, 2. 12. For the 8 prides' see Sam. 8; I, n. 391.
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