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a sermon full of nectar to the ears. At the end of the sermon I asked a question: “Reverend sir, how much time have I to live ?" Then the teacher thought intently, and said: “You have, my child, a life of exactly five days before you." Then, knowing that death was near, I said: "Reverend sir, I have but a short period to live; what shall I do now?" The teacher said : “My child, do not be afflicted; take a vow: for this vow observed for only a single day is the cause of heaven and of emancipation.” Then I took a vow, and by the order of the teacher I came here, and having burnt up the fuel of actions by the fire of pure contemplation, I have attained unlimited knowledge. Having said this, and having obstructed the impulse to action,* and destroyed the deeds that promote repeated birth, Simhakeçarin obtained salvation. The gods performed the funeral rites of his body. The abbot was admitted to a vow by the saint Yaçobhadra. Davadantí said: 'Reverend sir, admit me also to a vow.' The saint said: 'My good woman, you have still to enjoy worldly pleasures with Nala, so you ought not to take a vow.' The next morning the saint Yaçobhadra descended from the mountain, and arrived in Tápasapura. In this state of devotion to religion, Davadantí remiained seven years in the mountain cavern, with limbs unwashed. One day she suddenly heard this : 'Davadantí, I saw your husband Nala to-day in a certain place. When she heard this, she ran in the direction of the voice, and after going a long distance she fell down in the forest. Not seeing Nala, she began to weep, saying: 'Alas! where shall I go?. What shall I do ?' And then Davadantí was beheld hy a Rákshasí, who extended her mouth, and exclaimed : 'I will devour you !' but owing to the might of her chastity, the Rákshasí could not devour Davadanti. Then the Rakshasí disappeared like someone seen in a dream. Going on further, she saw a river with no water in it. Being afflicted with thirst, she produced water by a blow of her heel, through the power of her chastity. Then, having drunk
* Yoga. For the meaning of this word in Jaina philosophy see Cowell and Gough's translation of the Sarva Darcana Sangraha,' p. 53.
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