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[178]
The Devata (divine being) drew out a large, blue sword and spoke to the Shramanopasaka (Jain lay devotee) Sakdalputra in the same way, inflicting the same kind of suffering as he had done to Chulani Pita. He killed Sakdalputra's eldest, middle, and youngest sons, sprinkling their flesh and blood upon him. The only difference was that here the Devata cut each son into nine pieces of flesh.
[226] Even so, the Shramanopasaka Sakdalputra remained fearless and engaged in his Dharma-dhyana (meditation on the principles of Jainism).
[227] Seeing Sakdalputra fearless, the Devata approached him for the fourth time and said, "O Sakdalputra! Shramanopasaka! You who desire death! If you do not break your vows, I will bring your wife Agni Mitra, who is your Dharma-sahayika (helper in Dharma), Dharma-vijiya (one who heals Dharma), Dharmanuragaratta (one who is devoted to Dharma), and Sam-sukh-dukkh-sahayika (one who shares your joys and sorrows), from your home. I will bring her before you and kill her, cut her into nine pieces of flesh, boil her in a cauldron filled with boiling water, and then sprinkle your body with her flesh and blood. This will cause you to suffer from intense pain and anguish, and you will die prematurely."
**Discussion**
In this Sutra, Agni Mitra is described as a "Dhammavijiya," which is also known as "Dharmavaidya" in Sanskrit. This is a unique and unparalleled epithet in Indian literature, possibly not used by anyone else. Just as physical life is subject to ailments, diseases, pain, and suffering, so too can spiritual life become unhealthy, diseased, and painful. A decline in enthusiasm for Dharma is a form of spiritual sickness, frustration is a form of spiritual ill-health, and finding Dharma unpleasant is a form of spiritual pain. Just as there are remedies for physical ailments, there are also remedies for spiritual ailments.