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There lived, in that town, a
very wealthy pious Śrāvaka named Kartika Seth who was a great favourite of the king. He observed the fifth religious vow of a Śravaka, one hundred times, and was hence known as Śatakratu.
One day, a wandering ascetic of the Gairlka sect, named Gairika, who had observed fasting for one month, came to the town, and all the people of the town except Kārtika Seth became his devotees Gairika having come to know it, was greatly enraged with Kartika Seth.
invited
Gairika for dinner at his
me
One day, the king palace. Galrika said 'I will come to your palace for dinner, if Kartika Seth serves food. The king agreed to the proposal, and calling Kārtika Seth to his presence, said "You entertain Gairika with food at my palace." Kartika Śéth said "O sovereign! under your Majesty's command, I will entertain him". When Kartika Seth was serving food to Gairika who was taking his meals in the palace, Gairika Impudently began to practise jokes with Kartika Seth, by passing his fore-finger across his own nose, implying how Kartika Seth had been humbled down.
25
Kārtika Seth thought-" If
had previously taken Diksa,-Initiation into an Order of Monks, I would not have been obliged to undergo such humility With this idea prevailing in his mind, Kārtika Seth received Diksä from Bhagavan Sri Muni Suvrata Swami, along with one thousand and eight merchants' sons. In due course of time, he studied the Twelve Angas. Having very carefully observed his duties as an ascetic for twelve years, the soul of Kartika Seth was born during his next life, as Saudharmendra, as a result of his practising severe austerities during his ascetic-life, and Gairika was born As elephant Airāvana, the Indra's special vehicle.
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The elephant knowing that the sou! born as Saudharinéudra, tried to run away.
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of Kartika Seth was The Indra holding
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