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PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
473
"Gentleman, we also intend to join you for Vasantpura along with my disciples.”
The merchant said, “With pleasure you can join us. I shall look after you for all your comforts." Then the merchant ordered his servants to prepare necessary food for the preacher and his band of disciples."
The preceptor said, “No food specially prepared for a monk is acceptable to us. Moreover, water of the lakes and wells being full of life is not acceptable to us. Fire and weapons also are not acceptable to us."
In the meanwhile a man produced before the merchant a big dish full of ripe mangces. He said with joy, “Lord, kindly oblige me by accepting these ripe fruits.
The preceptor said, “Fruits containing life are not acceptable to us." The merchant was highly astonished and said, “Your vows are difficult to be observed, still you please join us. You will be served with the food and water acceptable to you."
Merchant Dhana left with his grand paraphernalia and the preceptor also accompanicu him with his band of disciples. Crossing fearful forests, streams and rivers, even and uneven grounds they arrived at a vast forest. Monsoon set in and all the roads of passage were obstructed with mud and stones and floods. Progress in journey being impossible the merchant resolved to stay on in the very forest. They erected tents for residence. Someone has rightly declared that the persons who act in accordance with place and time do not become miserable.
Preceptor Dharmaghosa took his resort in one of such shelters and passed his time in spiritual studies, meditation and penances along with his disciples.
As this detention was sudden and unexpected most of the food provisions were exhausted and they began to live upon fruits, bulbs, roots etc. Realising this position merchant Dhana began to worry for all. One night thus worrying he recollected that Preceptor Dharmaghosha had joined him along with his disciples, who do not accept any food specially got prepared for them. Moreover, he does not accept any food which contains any living organism; so how he would be pulling his life ; and that
