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penances. You simply ask for whatever your want. What can I give you? Do not entertain any doubt about my prowess. If like I can take you, even with this body of yours, to svarga (celestial region), where all indirectly expressed wishes are always fulfilled simply by desiring them. Or, if you like, having made you free from all Karmas accumulated during your endless worldly existences, I can take you to the extremely happy region of Absolute Bliss. Or, if you so desire, I can give you absolute sovereignty over the entire world with all the crowned sovereigns of various countries perfectly fubservient to your orders, during this life. The mind of śramaņa Bhagavān Mahāvira was not in the least affected by this alluring speech capabie of agitating the minds of ordinary beings. The Venerable Lord did not reply. Samgamaka thought :- This muni has frustrated the the powerful effect of ail my supernatural powers. But there still remains the infallible chastisement of Kām3-déva (God of Love) to be tried
Great persons are found to be violating their purusa-vrata (religious or ascetic observance taken upon themselves ) by the. amorous side glances of lovely young females who are the missiles of the God of Love. With this idea in bis mind, the god made an attempt at another anukula upasarga (pleasant disturbance).
20. The twentieth disturbance was done by celestial damseis Samgamaka ordered these young females to utilize all their cunning skill in making sramaņa Bhagavån Mahavira swerve froin his religious meditation. Show me how much divine strength you possess. With the object of assisting the celestial damsels in their nefarious task, the devilish god created all the six seasons of th: year one after another. In a moment beautiful vasanta-lakşmi (the Wealth of the Spring) the chief actress in the theater-stage of Kâma-deva (the God of Love) announced by the eweet melodious tunes of intoxicated cuckoos-made its appearance. Then, followed the summer making the directions fragrant by the flower-pollens of expanded Kadamba Rowers like a maidservant. Then, appeared the ruiny season honouring the auspic
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