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JAINA LITERATURE IN TAMIL
101
his breakfast and was on his way out of the city, saw those boys standing about the branch and asked them What does this mean?'. The boys explained matters to the Elder. Said the Elder, 'Go ahead, boys, trample that branch under your feet.' 'We are afraid to, Reverend Sir.' 'I will answer the question; you go ahead and trample the branch under your feet.' The Elder's words supplied the boys with the necessary courage. Forthwith they trampled the branch under their feet shouting and kicking up dust.
When the nun returned, she rebuked them and said, 'I don't intend to bandy question and answer with you; how did you come to trample the branch under your feet ?' 'Our noble Elder told us to’. Reverend Sir, did you tell them to trample my branch under their feet?' 'Yes, Sister.' 'Well then, match question and answer with me'. Very well, I will do so.
As the shades of evening drew on, she went to the Elder's residence to put her questions. The entire city was stirred up. The people said to each other, 'Let us go and hear the talk of the two learned persons.' Accompanying the nun from the city to the Elder's residence, they bowed to the Elder and seated themselves respectfully on one side.
The nun said to the Elder, Reverend Sir, I wish to ask you a question.' 'Ask it, Sister.' So she asked him the thousand articles of faith. Every question the nun asked, the Elder answered correctly. Then he said to her, 'You have asked only these few questions ; are there any others ? “These are all,
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