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THE PROBING EYE. DIVINING THE INVISIBLE
Lord they contemptuously said, 'Sire! Kumar Shramana Atimuktaka happens to be your disciple When will he be delivered? How many times will he be incarnated before being liberated?'
Said the Lord, 'Kumar Shramana Atimuktaka shall be delivered during this very incarnation Treat him not with scorn, but extend to him all help and co-operation His potentialities are on the verge of their manifestation and full evolution Take him not casually'
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They all grew serious at this prediction They were aware of the obvious only and not of the under-current eluding their eyes Hence the lax moment of Atimuktaka's led them to their outburst calmed by the forecast of the coming events
Atimuktaka was initiated when he was very young One may be initiated during childhood or youth or old age, as ordained by the Lord
Lord Mahavira camped at Poulaspur, then Monk Gautam went out for begging meals Near in the playground some children were playing Prince Atimuktaka of Poulaspur was also among them He saw Gautam Out of curiosity he asked Gautam, 'who do you happen to be?'
'I am a monk'
'Why do you wander here and there?'
'I go to the town for begging food'
'Please accompany me I will offer you meals' Saying this Atimuktaka held Gautam's finger and led him to his father's palace His mother Shridevi offered him food When Gautam began to leave Atimuktaka asked him
'Where do you reside, sire?'
'With my preceptor'
'Who is he?'
'Lord Mahavira, the monk'
'Where shall we find him?'
'Near by, in Shrivana garden' 'I wish to see him'
'As you choose '
