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but we are not debarred from accepting alms from any otner woman. The Lord's speech has peculiar meanings. We are illiterate persons; how can we know its true sense. We shall go to the Venerable One, and falling at his lotus-like feet, we shall try to to solve our doubt. But when this woman is ready to give the alms with such extreme devotion, how can we possibly disappoint her by flatly refusing her? We shall go to the Worshipful Bhagavana and shall do as he orders us to do." With this idea in their mind, they extended their alms-vessel towards her and she gave the milk-curds with great delight. She bowed down low near their feet, and she went away.
Dhanya Muni and Salibhadra Muni returned back to Śramaņa Bhagavana Mahavira, and having confessed the faults of the gocari before him, they bowed down at the feet of the Lord, and requested him to explain their doubt.
Śramana Bhagavāņa Mahavira then said:-- O Śâlibhadra Muni! the woman who gave you milk-curds as alms, was your own mother of previous birth.
Becoming astonished by these words of Śramana Bhagavāna Mahavira, the curious Salibhadra Muni asked again :-Bhagavan ! How is it possible ?
Śramana Bhagavana Mahavira then narrated the whole account of his previous life, and said She is your mother of previous birth. She is during the same life of existence, but yours is a second bhava,'
On hearing this explanation of his doubt from the mouth of Śramana Bhagavāna Mahāvira, the intensity of disgust to wards worldly objects on the part of Salibhadra Muni, went on increasing. With the permission of Śramana Bhagavana Mahavira, he took his break-fast in company with Dhanya Muni.
On recollecting the narration of the account of his mother of previous life stated by Śramana Bhagavāna Mahavira, the
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