________________
a forest, where there were other austere ascetics practising penance. The ascetics knew that Agnisharma's month long fast had not been broken with a ‘parana' and were disconcerted at the thought. Some people were offended, others were displeased with Gunasen. However, Agnisharma told them, “3RTH 598 Tyyny, PO HA 3TERU fa.” “Let Gunasen, the devotee of the esteemed teachers remain healthy. I have now not to worry about food (It is not going to matter to me whether my fast is broken or not)”. When Gunasen arrived at the hermitage, he was apprehensive about talking to the ‘Kulapati' about having missed the ‘parana'. At that time, the ‘Kulapati' tells Gunasen, "Int! Foart Juust431 c at Aarvuti at an a s poutfh?”, “Dear boy! An austerite is like everyone's mother. Why should you feel ashamed or hesitant to talk to him?”.
At the time of the second ‘parana', Agnisharma arrived at Gunasen's palace but no one accorded him a welcome or gave him any attention. After waiting for some time, he returned without doing his ‘parana’. In the meantime, Gunasen remembered that he had missed the ‘parana', extremely upset, he started running towards the hermitage hurriedly.
He met Agnisharma on the way and requested him to return and give him the benefit to break his month long fast. Agnisharma, at that point, said, "70/45ml D HORTUT Ealatt, ART I TE” “The austerities are true to their vows. The austerities follow and protect their vows completely (They do not make any concessions. Therefore I cannot come back for ‘parana'). The austerites are even
139
