________________ viii INTRODUCTION by Aritthanemi. They were so similar in appearance that they could be easily confounded with one another ($ 38, 18-29). One day these six monks formed themselves into three groups and went out on their begging tour in the town of Baraval There the first group came to the house of Devaki. She served them with a plate full of sweets and they went away. A second batch of two monks followed and Devaki served them also with food. When the third batch of two monks came, she felt that one and the same batch was visiting her house ; she asked them if they did not get food and drink in the vast town of Barvai that they were required to visit the same house again and again. They replied that they were not the same monks; they were six brothers, sons of Naga and Sulasa of Bhaddilapura, similar in age and appearance as if they were twin brothers; and that they joined the Order of Aritthanemi and were on a begging tour. :($ 30-36). Now a young ascetic of Polasapura once told Devaki that she would get eight sons, similar in appearance, and that no other lady in the Bharatavarsa would get such sons. Devaki felt that the prediction had turned false, as she saw with her eyes these six monks similar in appearance. She thought she should ask the revered Aritthanemi about it. Then he told her how her sons were transferred to Sulasa by Harinaigamesin. After this explanation Devaki returned home after paying a visit to the six monks. (8 37, 39).
