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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
AJITASENA-VYAKARANAM Ananda then struck the gong slowly and repeatedly. On hearing the sounds, all the great disciples (mahāśrāvakas) assembled, took their respective seats and commenced taking their meals. Among them was seated the Mahāśrāvaka Nandimitra. Bhagavā addressing him said, "Go, O Nandimitra, to the east to the country of Magadha, the kingdom of Ajitasena, and be the king's spiritual guide (kalyāṇamitra).” Nandimitra replied, “No, O Bhagavan, I shall not be able to go to that part of the land, for the people there are hard to manage and they will take my life.” Bhagavā answered, “'There is not a being who can destroy your hair, not to speak of your life.”
Then Nandimitra donned his golden robe early in the morning, started eastwards for Magadha and reached the capital of Ajitasena. The king was much pleased to hear of his arrival and sent one of his ministers to escort him to the palace. But Nandimitra declined to come to the king at the bidding of the minister. On hearing this the king sent 500 ministers but they too failed to make him come to the king. Then the king himself approached the Mahāśrāvaka and entreated him with folded hands to enter into his capital. Taking him by the right hand, the king led him into the palace and made him sit on the throne.
When Nandimitra had explained to the king that monks and recluses live on alms only, the king offered him food. Nandimitra took the food and expatiated in verses on the merits of giving alms, and on the rare qualities of the Teacher. He said,
The giver of the alms to the order of monks, who are rarely found, carr never suffer at the hands of demons and such other wicked beings, and are freed from old age, disease and sufferings; those who utter the name of the Teacher never go to hell."
Nandimitra then expressed his willingness to accept the foodofferings of the king. When he was served by the king with food,
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