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Completing his life there, he was born as the son of the chief ascetic of the Kanakhamala hermitage named Kau ika. He was of a violent temperament since childhood, so was called Candakausika. Later, Candakauśika became the chief ascetic of the hermitage. He was so deeply attached to the forest surrofemale-monkding that hermitage that he would not let anyone pick a fruit from there; hence, people left that hermitage to live elsewhere. Once, the princes of a nearby city destroyed the forest. When Candakausika learnt of it, he ran behind them with his axe to hit them. In anger, he fell into a pit and the axe severed his head. Candakauśika died at once. Because of the past life deeds, he began to protect that same forest in a rage. Roaming around day and night Candakausika would turn to ashes with his poison even animals and birds wandering in the forest. Fearing Caņdakauśika people stopped going to that forest.
In order to redeem Candakausika through his awakening, Lord Mah v ra entered that forest fearlessly. There he stood meditating. Seeing him, Caņdakausika started hissing, watching him with angry eyes. However, Lord Mah v ra was unaffected. Seeing this Caņdakausika got angrier and he bit his feet with his poisonous teeth. The Lord stood unagitated. Instead of blood, milk started flowing from his feet. He did not show any anger towards him. Surprised, Candakausika kept staring at the Lord without blinking an eyelid. All his anger died down. Seeing Candakausika calm down the Lord went into meditation and said - "Oh Candakauśika! Calm down! Arise! Because of the past life karmas you are a snake, be cautious at least now, otherwise you will have to wander about in bad circumstances." Hearing the Lord's words, Candakausika's realized his inner self. His mind was aglow with the light of discrimination. Remembering his past lives, he made a resolve in his mind – "I shall not trouble anyone anymore, nor will I eat anything." He went into his bill. The Lord too, left.
Caņda stopped coming out of his bill. There was peace in the forest. People started to pray to Caņda. They would pour milk, sugar and vermillion powder, flowers, etc. Caņda would not even touch them, hence, attracted by them, ants gathered there. Caņda was so still with his hood upright as if he was lifeless. Gradually, the ants started to bite him, enveloping him, but Caņda remained unshaken, bearing with all the pain with equanimity and completing his life in pure feeling, he obtained to the eighth heaven.
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