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101
APPENDIX NO. 2.
Hints on the Eighteenth Previous Bhava of Sramaņa
Bhagavān Mahävira.
On account of the fagnig niyánu (a firm resolution of acquiring the pleasures of worldly or celestial happiness as a reward of having practised severe austerities which ultimately lead to Liberation ) done by him in expectation of a reward for bis austerities, Visvabhūti Mani acquired for himself the prosperity of a Vāsudeva during the eighteenth previous Bhava ( as Tripristha Vāsudeva ), as a result of artgefraguer Papānubandhi Puqya ( merit followed by sinful Karmas). But the prosperity of s Vāsudeva thus acquired, led him on to a very degraded state. One should carefully inquire into the causes that even. tually lead him on towards the Exalted State, and the causes that degrade him.
Besides, it is note-worthy how Vitakha-nandi had to undergo various miseries as a result of cracking jokes at Visva. bhūti Muni who was a near relative of his, during the sixteenth, previous Bhava. The lion killed by Tripristha Vasudéva in this ( eighteenth ) Bhava was the soul of Vitäkbā Nandi born as a lion in tiryanca gati ( state of a lower being ) after wandering long in Samsāra. It is quite apparent from the life-history, that people have to suffer miseries, as a result of previous wicked Karmas either during the same bhava, or in future bhavas. It is not at all doubtful that there is a bondage of evil Karmas, as a result of wicked deeds done intentionally even througb ignorance,
The good qualities of intelligent and valient persons become at once visible during their child-hood; self-respect is natural with them. It is proper to know the distinctive, meaning
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