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Bhagawan Mahavir]
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of his life to the right path by imparting religious instruction to him.
It was the night of Amavasya (the New Moon Day) cf Kartika. After mid-night, when the star named Svati was the ascendant Lord Mahavira discussed 55 chapters of the Sukha-Vipaka and the Dukkha-Vipaka Sutras each, for the good of humanity. He also spoke out the 36 chapters of Uttaradhayayana Sutra for the spiritual betterment of the pious souls of this world. When Lord Mahavira was speaking out the last chapter of this Sutra, Indra's throne shook off suddenly. He was very much dejected to think that the time for the Lord's Nirvana Liberation had approached. He hastened with his family to see the feet of the Lord, and after touching his holy feet and bowing to him very modestly and respectfully, said in the following manner:
"Great Lord! Hastottara Nakshatra (star) was in the ascendent at the time when you came into the womb of your mother, when you were born, when you accepted consecration, and when you attained Kevala-jnana. But now it is otherwise. A planet is there at the time of your Nivrana, your future followers are likely to suffer various kinds of troubles for a period of complete 2000 years. I, therefore, request you to wait so long as this planet is with the Nakshatra of your Nirvana-Kala. If this planet conjoins with the fatal constellation in your presence, it will be colled down before the power of the sun of your penance and will not then be able to bring about any evil consequences in future. I, therefore, request you to be kind enough to give this much of assistance more for the destruction of future calamities of this world. "
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