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PRINCE MEHK (65) play with threads, (66) with pebbles, (67) with lotus-stalks ; (68) engraving leaves, (69) engraving bracelets, (70). giving life, (71) taking life; and (72) birds' cries.
Now when he had taught Prince Meha the abovementioned arts, the teacher of arts brought him to his parents.
23 Now Prince Meba's parents received the teacher of arts with sweet words, and honoured him with abundant scents, garlands and ornaments. They bestowed on him a liberal gift of gladness of lifelong worth, and sent him away.
Now Prince Meha became learned in the seventytwo arts, with the slumbering nine organs / awak. ened, and skilful in the eighteen kinds of vernacular tongues.
24. Then during an auspicious tithi, Karaná, star and hour, Prince Meha's parents married him in one day to eight excellent princesses sprung (lit. brought) from equally royal families.
25. Now Prince Meha sat up in his noble palace, being extolled and fondled by means of plays of thirty-two performers, enacted with music of ringing drums by goodly damsels; and enjoying the delights and pleasures of human life.
26. In those days, at that time, the Ascetic, Lord Mahávíra, travelling on and on, passing from village to village and journeying in pleasantness came to the city of Ráyagiha and the sanctuary,
1. Namely, the eyes, ears, nostrils, tongue, skin and mind.
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