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CHARUDATTA
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claws and flew away in the sky) After they had covered some distance, they came across a few more birds of their own species. A quarrel ensued between them, in consequence of which the bags dropped down Luckily, however, Charudatta's bag fell into a tank So he remained unhurt He now tore the bag and came out
When favourable karma is about to come up, it brings hope in the midst of darkness Charudatta's unfavourable karma was in the exit phase now While wandering in the forest, he reached the top of a hill, where he saw a muni, who was exposing himself to the blazing sun, with his arms stretched upwards Charudatta sat down. Having finished his kayotsarga, the muni said,
"Who you are and why have you come here? This is an island named Kumbhakunda and this bill is named Kakkoda. None can come here except the devas, the vidyadharas and the flying monks who are gifted with special powers There is a deep sea all around this island How did you cross it ?"
Charudatta narrated his story On hearing his account, the muni said,
"In this mundane life, difficulties abound, not well being. Not even the king of gods is capable of transgressing karma without experiencing its impact It will be advisable for you to prevent the influx of fresh karma
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Just at that time, two persons descended there from an air-chariot They were the monk's sons in the worldly life, both Vidyadharas, now residents of the Vaitadhya hills and both had come there to pay obeisance and homage to their father.
the air
When Charudatta and these two were in the midst of a conversation, they saw another air-chariot rushing through It was so bright that it gave light to all directions The air-chariot descended on the hill and from it alighted a deva, attended by many others To the surprise of all, he first paid obeisanee and homage to Charudatta and then to the monk. Enlightening all, the in-coming deva said,
