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up my wishing-stone." Thereupon the king said: 'My friend, what is your wishing-stone ?" Sumitra answered: "That by the power of which I provided all the dinner arrangement for you in the forest." Then the king's eyes became red with anger, and he said: You wicked harlot ! you manifest thief! you have stolen the jewel of my friend." Then the hetera, terribly alarmed, fell at the feet of Sumitra, exclaiming: "Protect me!" Sumitra appeased the king Vírángada, and took back his wishingstone. He then restored Ratisená to her proper shape. She was desperately in love with Sumitra. Then the hetara, perceiving it, bestowed Ratisená on Sumitra. So Sumitra, being married to three wives, passed his time in the enjoyment of the pleasures of the world. On a subsequent day the king said to Sumitra: "Sumitra, after you left me on that day, how did you manage to disappear for so long a time; and what pleasure or pain did you experience? How did you obtain the couple of jewels that you mentioned before? This circumstance excites my curiosity." Then Sumitra related the whole story exactly as it happened, beginning with his obtaining of the jewels. When the king heard the story of Sumitra he was astonished, and said to him: "Oh, the excellence of your perseverance! for
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""From good conduct comes respect, from perseverance the attainment of the prosperity proposed,
From diet freedom from disease, from religion heaven and also happiness."
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Then Sumitra said: King, what is the use of perseverance to men? Merit acquired in a previous life is of primary importance. Without perseverance, by means of merit every happiness is acquired. For
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Jain Education International
"Though a friend may be hard to obtain, far off, and situated in impassable regions,
In the power of others, and detained by wicked men long prepared, Nevertheless, when thought of, that friend is certainly acquired by a
man with ease,
If he possesses, as his trusty helper, even an atom of merit preyiously gained."
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