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17
PREVIOUS BIRTHS cakrabhst, which lasted for twelve years, was made by gods and men, together with a great festival.
While the king was protecting the earth with good policy, one day the Acārya Poțțila stopped in a garden. After he had heard dharma in his presence, he installed his son on the throne, became a mendicant, and practiced severe penance for a crore of years.
Incarnation as god (216)
When he had lived for eighty-four lacs of pūrvas, he died from a fast and became a god in the Sarvārtha palace in śukra.
Incarnation as Nandana (217–268)
He fell and was born here in Bharata in the city Chatrā as the son, named Nandana, of Jitaśatru by his wife Bhadrā. When he was grown, King Jitaśatru installed him on the throne and, disgusted with living in worldly existence, became a mendicant. Delighting the heart of the people, Nandana ruled the earth properly, his rule like that of Pākaśāsana. After he had passed twenty-four lacs of years from the time of his birth, disgusted with existence, Nandana took the vow under Ācārya Poțțila. Intensifying his asceticism by continuous fasts for a month, he wandered with his guru in villages, mines, cities, et cetera.
Devoid of both evil meditations21 and the two causes of binding karma ;22 always free from the three hurtful acts, 23 the three vanities24 and the three blemishes;25 with the four
21 222. Ārta (painful) and raudra (evil). For a full account see I, n. 8. 22 222. Bandhana: rāga (love) and dveșa (hate). Sam. 2. 23 222. See above, n. 10.
24 222. Gaurava. The 3 are: rasa (choice food); rddhi (riches and high position); sāta (pleasure). Sam. 3, p. 9a.
25 222. Salya; māyā (deceit); nidāna (wish for reward for penance); mithyādarsana (wrong belief). Sam. 3, 3M
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