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सचित्र उत्तराध्ययन सूत्र
विंशति अध्ययन [ २४४
CHAPTER 20
CONDUCT OF A GREAT KNOT-FREE MONK
Foreview
This chapter is entitled as 'Conduct of a great knot-free monk' Here are described the religious orders of a great knot-free monk and fundamental principles.
In the preceding ninteenth chapter 'Mrgaputra' there were the hints about the excellent religious order of a monk and that was called as the behaviour of a deer, and in this chapter that monk order is described in full detail.
This chapter begins with the conversation between king Śrenika and knot-free monk named Anāthi.
Once monarch of Magadha kingdom king Śrenka went for morning-walk in Maṇḍikuksi garden, which was situated outside the city Rajagṛha, the capital of Magadha kingdom.
There king Śrenika saw a young knot-free monk in deep meditation. King amazed to see monk's excellent beauty, tenderness etc. Completing the meditation when monk opened his eyes then king said to him
"Why have you adopted sagehood? This period of your age and your lustrous body is fit for enjoying pleasures of the world. During the age of pleasures, you became an ascetic. What is the cause of it?"
Monk gave a short reply-King! I was unprotected?
Though king could not believe this reply of monk, because the grand figure of monk was proving his higher family; yet he thought-the expression of monk may be true. He said
"I, myself become your protector and invite you to enjoy pleasures. I will manage for you, all types of pleasure-objects and comforts with luxury."
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Monk said-King, you yourself are unprotected; how can you become my protector? King thought that monk could not recognise him. He said
"You do not know me. I am king Śrenika, the monarch of vast Magadha kingdom. I have fourfold army, treasure full of wealth, vast kingdom, many queens and thousands of men-slaves and slave-maidens and even then you are saying me protection-less. Your this expression is not true."
Monk said
"King! you could not understand my purpose with which I have used the word lack of protection for you."
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