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BOOK II, LECTURE 15.
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the Muhurta called Vigaya, while the moon was in conjunction with the asterism Uttaraphalgunf, when the shadow had turned towards the east, and the first Paurushil was over, after fasting three days without taking water, having put on cne garment, the Venerable Ascetic Mahavira, in his palankin Kandraprabhâ, which only a thousand men can carry, with a train of gods, men, and Asuras left the northern Kshatriya part of the place Kundapura by the high way for the park Gñatri Shanda. There, just at the beginning of night, he caused the palankin Kandraprabhâ to stop quietly on a slightly raised untouched ground, quietly descended from it, sat quietly down on a throne with the face towards the east, and took off all his ornaments and finery. (22)
The god Vaisramana, prostrating himself?, caught up the finery and ornaments of the Venerable Ascetic Mahâvira in a cloth of flamingo-pattern. Mahâvira then plucked out with his right and left (hands) on the right and left (sides of his head) his hair in five handfuls. But Sakra, the leader and king of the gods, falling down before the feet of the Venerable Ascetic Mahâvira, caught up the hair in a cup of diamond, and requesting his permission, brought them to the Milk Ocean. After the Venerable Ascetic Mahavira had plucked out his hair in five handfuls (as described above), he paid obeisance to all liberated spirits, and vowing to do no sinful act, he adopted the holy conduct. At that moment the
1 Wake, Yâma, or time of three hours.
* Gamtuvâyapadie, according to the Guzerati Bålbodh this means making obeisance to the Lord of the world by touching his feet. Another MS. has : Then Sakra the chief and king of the gods.
