________________
286
them to Bhagavān Mahāvira. He took food only on fulfilment of his vow.
One day, he had nine persons on hand, and the tenth one was a goldsmith who proved to be a very hard nut to crack. He was not responding to his arguments and pursuasions. It was already very late, and the harlot was restless. She came to Nandis ena and asked him to take his food. But Nandisena said,
"How do I accept food till I have a tenth convert"?
The harlot had lost her patience. She retored,
"In that case, why don't you offer yourself as the tenth convert" ?
The words went deep to shake his heart. And as the harlot looked on, he came to Bhagavān Mahavira and became re-initiated into his order (8).
5. Rsabhdatta and Devānandā - Having spent his thirteenth year at Rajagrha, Bhagavān Mahavira turned his steps in the direction of Videha. On the way, he paid a visit to Brāhmana Kundagrāma. In this village lived Brāhmaņa Rşabhdatta and his wife Devānandā. The news of the arrival of Mahāvira spread through the village with the speed of lightning. Rşabhadatta and his wife came to pay their homage to him. As they came near Mahavira, they took the five precautions. They gave up live objects, arranged their clothes in proper order, place a cloth on the shoulder, folded their hands and concentrated their mind. They then moved round Mahavira and sat down to listen his inspiring words. Now, the more the pious lady Devānandā looked at Mahavira, the more she became thrilled. Her breasts were swollen with motherly affection, and the eyes were wet with joy. But she did not realise why she was experiencing this change within herself. All of a sudden, her brassier loosened and milk flowed out from her breasts.
Ganadhara Gautama observed this unusual scene, and he had a curiosity about the implication of all this. He came forward, paid his homage and obeisance to Mihavira and submitted
