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CONTIENTS.
[6. BHÄVA.
named Meghankda, coming to Kausambi despatched a monk, who recited to him a gåtha to the following effect: "Tāpasa, what is the use of this vow of silence ? exert yourself to learn the Law. You who after dying as a pig and as a snake, are born as the son of your son!” He replied that he would follow the advice of the saint and went to see him. The people were astonished at his suddenly being able to speak, but they continued to call him the Mute. 477, 13.
Padmanābha further told the god that he would be awakened on mount Vaitādhya by the sight of his own earrings. Thereupon the god went to Kausāmbi and told Asokadatta what he had learnt from the Tirthakara, and made him promise to exert himself for his enlightenment. He led him to mount Vaitādhya and deposited his earrings in a hole among the rocks. Then he gave him a miraculous stone which would fulfil only one wish of its possessor. By means of this stone, the god said, Asokadatta might again, if need be, come to mount Vaitādhya; and having brought him back to Kaušāmbt he returned to his heaven. After some time his soul was embodied in the womb of Bandhumati. While the latter was big with child, she had a longing for mangoes. As it happened to be autumn when no mangoes were to be had, Asokadatta procured her some by means of his miraculous stone for he feared that she might die unless her longing were gratified. In dwe course of time she gave birth to a boy who was named Arhaddatta. When he was grown up, Asokadątta fried hard to awaken him, but in vain. After some time Asokadatta died 'and became a god in Brahmaloka. By his supernatural knowledge he became aware of Arhaddatta's state of mind, and in order to awaken him he made him fall into a mortal disease which the physicians were unable to cure. Now the god in the guise of a Sabara doctor proclaimed in Kaubāmbi that he cured all sorts of diseases. Being sent for to attend Arhaddatta, he anounced to him that in order to be saved, he must avoid the nidāpa i.e. the cause of the disease ; in his case it was mithyātva, to get rid of which he moet observe the precepts of the Jaina creed; either he must fation and obey him, or enter the Order. Arbaddatta choosing to bio mnitiated. was cured by the divine dootor: but after a
