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270: JAINS TODAY IN THE WORLD
the town of Benaras; and in the middle of the night, when the moon was in conjunction with the asterism Viṣākhā, after the termination of his allotted length of life, divine nature, and existence (among the gods), he took the form of an embryo in the womb of the queen Vāmā, wife of Asvasena, king (of Benaras)...
"The knowledge of the Arhat Pārsva, the people's favourite, after the lapse of nine months and seven and a half days, in the second month of winter, in the third fortnight, the dark fortnight of "Pausa" (December/January), on its tenth day, in the middle of the night when the moon was in conjunction with the asterism Viṣākhā, Vāmā, perfectly healthy herself, gave birth to a perfectly healthy boy. (A long description follows that is the same as that for Mahavira's life and ends in saying the boy was called Pārsva").
"The Arhat Pārsva, the people's favourite, clever, with the aspirations of a clever man, of great beauty, controlling his senses, lucky and modest, lived thirty years as a householder. Then the Laukantika gods (those who are near liberation), following the established custom, addressed him with these kind, pleasing, sweet and soft words: "Victory, victory to thee, gladdener of the world! Victory to thee lucky one... establish the religion of the law that benefits to all living beings in the whole universe! Thus they raised the shout of victory. (The story continues by depicting the great knowledge and intuition that made Pārśva renounce the world and distribute all he possessed as riches to the needy).
"In the second month of winter, in the third fortnight, the dark fortnight of Paușa (December/ January), on its eleventh day, in the middle of the night, riding in his palanquin called Viśālā, followed on his way by a train of gods, men and "Asura" (divine spirits), he went right through the town of Benaras to the park called Asramapada, and proceeded to the excellent tree "aśoka". There he caused his
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