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JAINA STORIES
into the city, the people were surprised to see him. Everywhere he was confronted with the same question 'How did it happen?', to which he repeated the same reply, 'In the forest, I propitiated the deity whose kindness has worked miracle on me'
''At his home, he found that everybody had fallen victim to the disease This was what he had desired and he felt very happy 'This is the outcome of your neglecting me,' said he The members of the family knew well how they got the infection from the goat's meat, and they censured the old man vehemently. They turned him out of the house and when the people of the town came to know of it, they sent him into exile,
* 'Unfortunate man ' Seduka now sought the royal protection and was living outside the city with the chief guard At that time,' continued the Lord, 'I came to the city and people came to hear my discourses Even the chief guard came, leaving Seduka to take his place At that time a startling event took place Near the city gate, there is a temple dedicated to the Goddess Navadurga who is propitiated for her power to fulfil the vishes of the people. A rich merchant who was childless came there one day and prayed for a son, for waich he promised an offer of three precious gems But wäen he had acquired a son, he was not serious to fulful his promise The goddess appeared in a dream and reminded him of his promise When the merchant did not suitably respond, she went to the extent of tareatening that she would kill his son Now the merchant could no longer redan indifferent In the morning, he bougat titer gems and I cached the temple with the members of his family He placed the gems at the feet of the goddess bur, sarewd as he was, he didn't even spare the goddess to give her a test of it Said he, 'Mother goddess, I have made my offering but as thy true devotee, I must now have a