________________
67. 10. ]
heart's desire. He sent to the house of Nagadeva a recluse, by name Sumangala, who was clever in the way of speaking, and asked him – “Speak there to As'okadatta who sits on the terrace of the house, Ob, boy, I am sent by my teacher. He says,
O recluse, what is the use of this vow of dumbness ? Having known the religion, take to it. Having died, you have become a pig, a serpent and a son's son.” (68).
[67] Then that recluse went saying, •Whatever the master orders.' He conveyed the message of his preceptor. The other said with a bow, “Where is the preceptor?” The recluse said, " Boy, in the sanctuary called S'akravatara !” He said, “Come; let us go.” The servants of the the dumb were wonder-struck. They thought, “What power this divine one has ! So let him go; perhaps there may turn out something better ! ” He went in the vicinity of teacher Meghanāda. He bowed to the teacher. The teacher gave him the religious benediction. As’okadatta asked, "O divine sir, how do you know my account ?" He said, “ By the power of knowledge.”
100
