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[Third Varga]
[33. Doubt about the return of Devaki and its resolution
Thereafter, the third sanghadya (group) of monks came to the city of Dvaraka and begged for alms in the high, low and middle class families. After obtaining alms, they spoke thus:
"Devaanupiya! Is it true that in this city of Dvaraka, which is nine yojanas long and nine yojanas wide, the Shramana Nirgranthas (Jain monks) beg for alms in the high, low and middle class families of the householders, but do not get food and drink? As a result, do they have to revisit the same families again and again for food and drink?
Then those monks said to the Devī (Devaki): "Devaanupiya! It is not true that in this city of Dvaraka, the Shramana Nirgranthas (Jain monks) beg for alms in the high, low and middle class families, but do not get food and drink. Nor do they revisit the same families a second or third time for food and drink."
"Devaanupiya! We, the sons of the householder Naga of the city of Bhaddilapura, along with our six brothers born of the same mother Sulasā, having heard the Dharma from the venerable Ariṣṭanemi, became terrified of the cycle of birth and death, fearful of birth and death, shaved our heads, and became ascetics. From the very day we took asceticism, we worship and pay obeisance to the venerable Ariṣṭanemi. We have taken this kind of vow - we wish, O Lord! to be permitted by you to live happily."
Thereupon, we, having been permitted by the venerable Ariṣṭanemi, live happily for the rest of our lives. Today, on the occasion of the sixth-monthly fast-breaking ceremony, after studying in the first watch, practicing meditation in the second watch, and being permitted by the venerable Ariṣṭanemi, we have entered your house with the three sanghadyas (groups) of Dvaraka city, begging for alms in the high, low and middle class families of the householders. It is not we alone, Devaanupiya, but others too. The Devī (Devaki) said this and then disappeared in the direction she had come from.]