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a devoted wife and highly skilled in arts. So the conjugal life of Ananda was one of great happiness. Besides, he had a vast property. He had four crores of gold pieces in reserve, four crores lent out as loans, and four crores invested in business. To add to these, he possessed four herds of cattle each having 10,000 cows. He was therefore called an affluent person (mahardhika) because of his vast wealth and cattle herds.
Ananda was highly trusted and respected person of his city. Kings, princes, chief of the town police, frontier kings, village administrators, merchants, exporters, importers and many others consulted him and took advice from him on many matters, including confidential correspondences and deals.
In the north-eastern direction of Vanijyagrāma, there was a prosperous satellite town named Kollaga. A large number of friends and relatives of Ananda lived there. Once, wandering from village to village, Bhagavān Mahāvira came to Vanijyagrama. People assembled round him in a holy congregation. King Jitasatru himself and thousands of people of his kingdom came to pay their homage and obeisance to Bhagavān Mahāvira and derive inspiration from his words. There was an unusual enthusiasm in the city at his coming. Ananda also heard the happy news of the arrival of Bhagavān Mahävira and became delighted and pleased. He thought that it was profitable to see the Lord. So he decided to come and see Bhagayān Mahavira and worship him. He took his bath, put on clean clothes and ornaments, and then being surrounded by his men, he walked on foot through the heart of the city. The canopy held over his head was decorated with a garland of koranta flowers. Thus Ananda arrived at the Dyutipalāsa caitya where Mahāyira had camped. He moved round him thrice, paid his homage and obeisance and took his seat in the assembly. When the sermon was over, the people went away. Householder Ananda became exceedingly delighted and happy to hear the sermon. He submitted,
"Bhante ! I have devotion for the prescription of the nirgyanthas. I have faith in them, I have taste for them. These prescriptions are the same as they have been stated by you. You are very correct. I hold
