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106
The Unknown Pilgrims
Having heard the wise words of this [sadhvi], mistress of her person, Rathanemi returned to the dharma just as a [wild] elephant is retrieved by the goad.41
Controlling his mind, his speech and his body, mastering the senses, faithful to his vows, he persevered in the state of Śramana to the end of his life.42
43
After practising severe austerities, they both joined the ranks of the omniscient ones, all their karmas were obliterated, [and] they attained the highest perfection [beyond all telling].43
43
The last verse of this recitation is a eulogy to all who, like Rathanemi "the purusottama, the most excellent of men"44 succeed in the way of self-renunciation. We must add that, without the force of character and pre-eminent qualities of Rājimati, Rathanemi would have perhaps not achieved perfection and it is assuredly she who deserves the title of 'purusottama'.
41 tise so vayaṇaṁ soccā saṁjayãe subhāsiyaṁ
aṁkuseṇa jahā nāgo dhamme sampadivaio. US XXII, 46; dhamme sampadivaio. he stays firm fixed, established in the dharma.
42 managutto vayagutto kāyagutto jiimdio
sāmaṇṇaṁ niccalaṁ phase jävajjivaṁ daḍhavvao. US XXII, 47.
uggaṁ tavaṁ carittäṇam jāyā donni vi kevali
savvaṁ kammam khavettāņaṁ siddhim pattä aṇuttaraṁ. US XXII, 48. Note that US XXII, 42; 43; 45; 46 correspond textually to DS II, 7-10; cf. also TrisalPC VIII, 10, 271-286.
44 Cf. US XXII, 49.
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