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pleased with the severe asceticism of that great hermit, said to herself : “I must take care that the river does not sweep away this great-hearted man with its stream." So the river began to flow close to the other bank. That fact was bruited abroad by the people who lived in that country, and so he has acquired the name of Kúlaválaka. Whatever caravan arrives in the neighbourhood at the end of the monthly fast, or the fortnightly fast, goes there, and the members of it break their fast in that very place.'
Then Koņika, hearing this, sent for Mágadhiká, a hetæra, and said to her: 'My good woman, bring here the ascetic Kúlaválaka.' She said: 'I will do so.' She disguised herself as a Jaina female disciple, and went there with a caravan. She bowed before the ascetic Kúlaválaka, and said to him respectfully : 'Reverend sir, hearing that you were here, I came here to pay my respects to you.' Then she praised him as follows: To-day is a successful day for me, since I have seen you, & moving
sanctuary; Now show me favour, great and excellent hermit, by receiving my
alms; Receive my alms, for such worthy objects, as you are, are obtained
by the power of merit; Does å rain of gold take place in the courtyard of one devoid of
merit?'
When Kúlaválaka had been propitiated by her respect, that showed itself in this way, he went to her place to receive alms, and she gave him sweetmeats. After he had eaten the sweetmeats, he was attacked with dysentery, and was so tortured by it that he could not even rise up. Then Mágadhiká said to the hermit: Alas! alas! I have brought you into a state of suffering; now I wish to cure you, 80 permit me to treat you with pure remedies : should you break your vow in any way, you can confess it afterwards; for
In all cases an ascetic, who is trying to save his soul by abstinence, Is delivered from transgression, but the fact is, cessation from the
strict rule is in itself purifying.' Being thus admonished by her with appropriate precepts stated in religious text-books, that high-souled man con
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