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- 'Bhante! I am an experienced charioteer. I know all its parts. So I can give the answer right then".
- "In the same manner, Rājakumāra, the Tathāgatha can give answer right then, because he is religion".
- "Bhanie!: How surprising ! How very wonderful ! You have expounded religion in diverse forms. I place myself under thy protection, under the protection of thy Dhamma, of thy Sangha, From this day, please accept me as a follower who has come to thee with folded hands".
In the Abhaya Sutta of the Samyutta Nikāya. (173), there is an account of a meeting between the Buddha and Abhayarājakumāra, in which the latter asks a question about the position occupied by Pūrana Kāsyapa in the spiritual hierarchy.
Abhayarājakumara had his pious, spiritual eye opened (174) when being overwhelmed with grief at the death of his dancing girl, he came to the Buddha, and the latter spoke words of inspiration for his benefit(175).
According to the Theragāthā (176) and its Atthakathā (177), being overwhelmed at the death of his father, Abhaya rajakumara was initiated into monkhood by the Buddha, and later he became an Ar hat. The Therigāthā Atthakathā (178) further states that during his monkhood, he inspired his mother, Padmāyati, to take shelter in religion. She was also initiated into the order and attained the status of an Arhat.
Initiation in the Nirgrantha Religion
According to the Jaina belief, Abhayakumāra was a gre great devotee of Mahavira. Once a woodcutter (henceforth called Drumaka) was initiated into monk hood by Sudharma Svāmi. When this monk entered into the city of Rājagrha for begging, people laughed at him saying,
"Here comes a great renouncer. He has given up his gold, wealth and everything".
