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seven niganthas, seven nudes, seven clad in a single 19 cloth and seven parivrajakas passed that way. The King enquired if any one from among these was an arhat or on the road to ar hathood. Buddha said, none. 'He added that only through a prolonged observation and association was it possible to know the conduct of a person. "'Don't take any one at par on a short observation", he added. Source: Samyukta Nikāya, Jațilasutta,
3-2-1. Comment
The account gives an idea of the statecraft of the time. It is strange that intelligence men used to roam about in the guise of monks." 34. Dhammika Upasakari
Once when Buddha was at Srāvasti, there came'to him Dhammika Upasaka with his five hundred Ubäsaką“ followers and sang in praise of Buddha concluding, In wisdom, no vādt, nigantha or ājivaka is equal to you as one standing motionless is nowhere near a fast-moving man".
Source: Sutta Nipāta, Culāvagga, Dhammika
Sutta (Hindi), pp. 75-77. Comment
While showering praise on Buddha, the niganthas have just been mentioned to cast slur on them. As per Sutta Nipāta Atthakatha, these five hundred upāsakas knew the art of flying and had conquered transmigration of soul.
35. Mahabodhikumāřa
The ruling monarch at Vārāṇasi was Brahmadatta. In the same city lived a highly affluent Brahmin. A son was born to him and he was named Bodhikumára. He grew into an accomplished young man. Later, he moved to the Himalayas and became a parivrăjáka monk. Many years"
