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When the Lokantika gods after requesting śramaņa Bhagavān Mahavira, had gone away to their respective celestial abodes, Šramana Bhagaván Mahāvira got up from his lionseated throne, and went to King Nandivardhana and his Ksatriya kinsmen, followed by some domestics. On seeing Sramaņa Bhagavān Mahāvîra coming to them, they advanced seven or eight steps forward towards him, gave hir their due respects and offered him an elegant lion-seated throne for his seat. As soon as sramaņa B! agavān Mahāvîra took his seat on the throne, King Nandivardbana and other members of the family took their appropriate seats.
Sramapa Bhagavān Mahāvîra, then addressing them with a speech, pleasant like nectar, naturally sweet, devoid of repetition, and full of dignity, said, O beloved of the gods ! The limit of your appointed time bas now been reached. The tiine for renouncing the world has arrived. You, therefore, willingly give me your permission, remove the ties of affection, and strengthen your mind which is full of fears of separation."
On hearing these words, their throats became choked up, and stopping the current of sorrow with extreme difficulty and as if they were making visible their long-lasting mass of affection by the continuous flow of tears from their eyes, they said “O Worshipful Lord! when you are talking thus, our ears are really adamantine that they do not become deal, Our hearts are made of a material as hard as a diamond that they are not split up into hundred pleces with a crackling noise. Our bodies are the abodes of such ungrateful materials tbat they do not, till now, undermine themselves into the lowest regions. Under the circumstances, how can our humble speech be utilized in giving perinission for the subject under discussion ? Who will be our means of safety for saving 118 from falling into the ocean of difficult undertakings ? Or, who will grace the famous Jñāta -kula woich is illustrious in the three worlds, without you, who are respected by the gods, demi-gods, and kings of kings ! Ah! We are unfortunate that
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