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APRIL, 1971
153
In the resting places there once, in a night, the single wanderers asked him (who he was, and why he was there); as he did not answer, they treated him badly ; but he persevered in his meditations, free from resentment.
(Sometimes to avoid greater troubles when asked), 'Who is there within ? 'he answered, 'It is I, a mendicant.' ...
When a cold wind blows, in which some feel pain, some houseless monks in the cold rain seek a place sheltered from the wind.
But the Venerable One desired nothing of the kind ; strong in control, he suffered, despising all shelter.
Always well guarded, he bore the pains (caused by) grass, cold, fire, flies, and gnats ; manifold pains.
He travelled in the pathless country of the Ladhas, in Vajjabhumi and Subbhabhumi ; he used there miserable beds and miserable seats.
In Ladha (happened) to him many dangers. Many natives attacked him. Even in the faithful part of the rough country the dogs bit him, ran at him.
Few people kept off the attacking, biting dogs. Striking the monk, they cried khukkhu, and made the dogs bite him.
Such were the inhabitants. Many other mendicants, eating rough food in Vajjabhumi, and carrying about a strong pole or a stalk (to keep off the dogs), lived there.
Even thus armed they were bitten by the dogs, torn by the dogs. It is difficult to travel in Ladha.
Ceasing to use the stick (i.e., cruelty) against living beings, abandoning the care of the body, the houseless (Mahavira), the Venerable One, endured the thorns of the villages i.e., the abusive language of the peasants), (being) perfectly enlightened.
As an elephant at the head of the battle, so was Mahavira there victorious. Sometimes he did not reach a village there in Ladha.
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