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[The Married Life of Prince Vardhamana
the unique grandeur of that occaion. That processsion was taken out with great eclat through the main streets of the town. The sky-rending and solemn music, which created an atmosphere of detachment from the world, was peculiarly captivating. when Lord Mahavira was well drassed and decorated some were waving Chauris over his head. The gods riding their Vinnanas were showering fragrant flowers. In front of the palanquin there were the chief deities, king Nandivardhan, the invited princes and the members of the royal family. Behind them there were the chiefs who had come from long distances, knights and the gentry of the town. The gods were playing sweet notes of music on their clarinets as if they were announcing to the deluded world that even gods attended upon those, who sacrifice their worldly comforts and pleasures in the service of humanity. The accompanying crowd was giving out the sky-rending shouts of “Jaya Jaya Nanda”, “ Jaya Jaya Bhadda.” The procession was passing on slowly in this manner. On the way his relatives greeted him in a hundred and one ways. Here and there elderly persons along with gods were pronouncing benediction on him. They were saying. “O saviour of the world, you should be able to control your sense-organs through right knowledge, right faith and right conduct and be able to observe successfully the duties of ascetic life throughout your life. May you enjoy fully the divine and eternal happiness of liberation after successfully passing through allthe troubles. May you not be affected by attachment or aversion. You may not even dream of them. May you be victorious over the most invincible enemies in the form of eight kinds of karmas, by the practice of Sama ( Peace), Dama ( Restraint), Samiti
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