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Indrabhūti Gautama remained there for the night, and in the morning he commenced to get down from the mountain.
When Gañadhara Mahārāja Indrabhūri Gautama was on a pilgrimage to 272197fnft Astāpada-giri, Mount Astāpada, filteen hundred hermits named काडन्य Kodanya, दत्त Dutta, सेवाल Sèvāla, and others, knowing Aștāpada-giri to le a means acquiring #17 Moksa,-Final Libera'ion,-arrived near the mountain for a pilgrimage there.
Out of these hermits, five hundred hermits observing one day's fasting, and eating green roots and fresh vegetables on the break-fast-day, reached the first Mékhalā, slope of the mountain. The second batch of five hundred hermits, observing twj-day's fasting and eating dry roots on the break-fast-day reached the second slope. And the third batch of five hundred hermits observing three day's fasting and eating dry nioss only on the break-fast-day reached the third slope of the mountain. Being unable to ascend higher, the three parties stoppel respectively at the first, second, and the third slope of the mountain.
On seeing Gañadhara Mahārāja Indrabhūti Gautama with a lustrous gold-coloured appearance and plump body, going quickly up the mountain, they said amongst themselves, “We are thin-bodied still we cannot go further. How will this Muni with bulky body go up the mountain ?"
While they were talking thus, Gaşadhara Mahārāja Indrabhūti Gautama swiftly went up the niountain and became invisible in a moment like a god. Then they said amongst themselves that this great sage possesses extraordinary supernatural powers, so when he returns here, we shall all become his pupils. With this firm determination in their mind, the hermits respectfully kept waiting with close attention for his return there, as for the arrival of a dear relative.
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