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ÂRÂRÂNGA SOTRA.
whole assembly of men and gods stood motionless, like the figures on a picture.
At the command of Sakra, the clamour of men and gods, and the sound of musical instruments suddenly ceased, when Mahâvira chose the holy conduct. xviii.
Day and night following that conduct which is a blessing to all animated and living beings, the zealous gods listen to him with joyful horripilation. xix.
When the Venerable Ascetic Mahâvira had adopted the holy conduct which produced that state of soul in which the reward of former actions is temporarily counteracted, he reached the knowledge called Manah parya ya", by which he knew the thoughts of all sentient beings, with five organs, which are not defective, and possess a developed intellect, (living) in the two and a half continents and the two oceans. Then he formed the following resolution : I shall for twelve years neglect my body and abandon the care of it; I shall with equanimity bear, undergo, and suffer all calamities arising from divine powers, men or animals 2. (23)
The Venerable Ascetic Mahavira having formed this resolution, and neglecting his body, arrived in the village Kummâra when only one Muhurta of the day remained. Neglecting his body, the Venerable Ascetic Mahâvira meditated on his Self, in blameless lodgings, in blameless wandering, in restraint, kindness, avoidance of sinful influence (samvara), chaste life, in patience, freedom from passion, contentment; control, circumspectness, practising religious postures and acts; walking the path of
* Or Manahparyaya.
: Cf, Kalpa Sætra, § 117.
