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firm to one's religious duties, becomes wide awake, and till then only, an individual can be exempt from censurable undertakings. The precious treasure Moksa is lost, and then the ritorys Parīşahas,-the endurances of twenty-two accidental miseries,-defeat even a dutiful ascetic like so many venomous snakes.
Martci Muni, whose efforts for the maintenence of religious duties were becoming slack, now thought - I am now, in every way, unable to duly perform my duties as an ascetic. Therefore, what should I do? What remedy should I adopt ? Should I go away to a foreign country or find out a plan for propitiating any deity? What is the use of entertaining such false notions ?
“Or, leaving aside the duties of an ascetic, should I, now, go home? But, I am afraid, that expedient is not safe for me. Because, being the son of Bharata Cakravartin, who is the protector of the earth ornamented by the girdle of the four oceans; who has crushed down invincible enemies by his powerful arms; whose feet are embellished by the mass of rays coming from the diadems of kings bowing down before him; who is the lord of ninety-six crores of villages and towns, and whose orders are not infringed by any one, how can I not feel ashamed in asking for the house and property already abandoned by me, out of my own accord ? Or, while going home, how cannot the faces of my parents become gloomy with shame on their knowing me to be one who has violated his vows ? Or, how can I become the first to defile the dazzling bright fame of TETEE Iksvākukula,-the race of Ikşvāku,-which is as white as snow, a pearl neck-lace, cow's milk, the Jasmine flower, or the Moon? Or, will not my own brothers and kinsmen brought up along with me, censure me for frivolously abandoning the excellent path will-fully adopted by me? Or will not, my case serve as a faithful example for wicked individuals ? "
“ It is, therefore, perfectly inappropriate for me to go home in every way.
" But it is, now, advisable for me, any how, to restrain my mind with a clear conscience.
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