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During night, Nandiṣéņa Sadhu remained steady in Kayotsarga, in a court-yard of the village. Wandering here and there during night, a son of the watch-guard of the village thinking him to be a robber, killed him with a big lance. With the acquisition of Avadhi Jñāna the Sadhu died instantly, and he went to deva-loka. Gods living in the neighbourhood, celebrated the event. Gośāla on seeing the celebration went to the spot, and he saw the dead Sadhu. Having gone to the upāśraya, Gośāla woke up the sleeping disciples and having rebuked them, he narrated the account of the death of Nandiṣéna Sadhu. He then went away. Śramana Bhagavan Mahavira, then, went to Kupikā Sannivėsa. There also, the watch -guard of the village, thinking him to be a spy, caught him and began to trouble him by tying him with a rope and beating him. When Śramana Bhagavan Mahāvira was thus insulted at their hands, a rumour spread among people "This Venerable Saint is endowed with the wealth of unique beauty, and how is it that he has been caught as a spy? Will he ever do such a sinful act? Or the nature of Karmas is wonderful. What is not possible? However, it is heard that external form is indicative of the nature of qualities. Really speaking these people torment him simply out of ignorance. Even an ascetic practises an evil deed on account cf sensual pleasure However, how can one who does not wish for even a piece of cloth, work as a spy !" On hearing such a popular report, two Sadhvis of Tirthankara Bhagavan Pārsva Natha who having recently left off Bhagavati dīkṣā had adopted the appared of Parivrājaka nune, became mentally bewildered with doubt. Is it not possible that he may perhaps be Jinésvara Śramana Bhagavan Mahāvīra ". With this idea in their mind, they went there and on seeing Śramaga Bhagavān Mahāvīra, they respectfully bowed down before him and scolding the watch-guards with harsh words, they said, "O unfortunate people! You at once set free Śramaņa Bhagavan Mahavira-the son of King Siddhartha and an excellent promulgator of religion-and immediately beg his pardon. Ah! if Sakréndra will, any how, know this incident, he will kill you and ruin your entire Kingdom.". Fearful of some
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