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ARDHA-MAGADHI READER
when the forest-borders were nblaze with the flames of forest-conflagration, and the quarters were filled with smoke thereof, you accompanied by many elephants, were running from one direction to the other, moving like a whirlwind, frightened and terrified.
58. On seeing that forest-conflagration, to you, Meha, occurred the following thought, “I believe I have previously seen somewhere this kind of fireaccident. Then Meha, your lesyás' being pure, your motives being good, and the karman that obstructs it being partly nascent and partly ceasing, you gained the memory of your former births. Then you rightly perceived this fact, Meha, viz." I really observed such a fire-accident in my last birth."
59. Then to you, Meha, occurred the following thought, “ It is better for me, now, to form near the foot of the Vimjha 2 mountain on the right bank of the great river Gangá a big enclosure with my herd for protection against forest-conflagrations. Resolving thus, you formed a big enclosure. Where there was grass, leaf, wood, thorn, creeper, stump or tree, you shook them all thrice, uprooted them with your foot and holding with your trunk, throw them aside.
Then you, Meba, lived at some little distance from that enclosure, enjoying lordship over elephants.
60. Then once upon a time, in the time of the
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1. A kind of grease excreted by the soul which fastens
karman to it. 2. Skt. Vindhya.
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