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## Chapter 46: The State of Anuttaropapathika
The text describes the travels of the monk Sunakṣatra in various regions. He studied the eleven Angas and, through self-discipline and austerity, cultivated his soul. As a result, he became emaciated like a Skandaka, a type of ascetic known for their extreme austerity.
The author here begins to describe the remaining studies of the third category. This chapter focuses on the story of Sunakṣatra, a monk who renounced worldly life. The meaning of the chapter is clear from the original text. For example, the author mentions Thavaccaputra and Dhanya, both monks who renounced worldly life. To learn more about Thavaccaputra, readers should refer to the fifth study of the *Jñatadharmakathāṅgasūtra*. The story of Dhanya has already been discussed in the first study of this category.
The chapter begins with the phrase "Ukkhevo-utkṣepaḥ," which means that the following text should be connected to the previous chapters. In other words, the reader should understand the context of the following text in relation to the previous chapters.
The text then asks: "If, Venerable Sir, the Blessed Lord Mahāvīra, while attaining the ninth Anga, the state of Anuttaropapathika, had this study as the first study of that category, then what study would be the second study of the ninth Anga, the state of Anuttaropapathika, of that category?"
This type of question appears at the beginning of almost every study. It is called "Ukkhevo" or "Utkṣepa," which means introduction or beginning. To shorten the text, the word "Ukkhevo" is used here. The same style is followed in other chapters.
Just as Dhanya, after being initiated by the Blessed Lord Mahāvīra, observed the Ācāṁlavrata on the day of his initiation, so did Sunakṣatra. Similarly, just as Skandaka, in the second century of the *Vyākhyāprajñapti*, after being initiated by the Blessed Lord, emaciated his body through austerity, so did Sunakṣatra.
This chapter teaches us that when someone sets a suitable goal, they should always strive to achieve it. They should be determined to overcome any obstacle, no matter how great, and never waver in their efforts. Without such determination, one cannot reach their goal. However, those who strive with a focused mind to achieve their objective will surely succeed, and quickly.
At that time, in the city of Rājagṛha, there was a caitya called Guṇasilka. The king was Śreṇika. The Blessed Lord Mahāvīra arrived. The assembly came out. The king also came out. There was a discourse on Dharma. The king returned. The assembly also...