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THE IMAGE AND THE REFLECTION
71
The sight of the Lord angered them They drew near him and ventilated their wrath by hurling abuses on him. They said
'You nude and bald-headed shramana / You have defeated our purpose today
How did I defeat it?'
'We proposed to leave for theft. Your appearance has marred our chances
'Theft is too ignoble an act to begin auspiciously?!'
The two were chanting 'theft is ignoble-theft is ignoble,' unaware of themselves as if under a spell
The Lord proceeded onwards, having deflated the blindbeliefs of the day (2) At Vaishalı also the Lord bore the brunt of blindbeliefs * He was meditating, standing in a blacksmith's workshop It was after a period of six months on sick-bed that the convalescent artisan was visiting the place with his tools He saw to his dismay a naked mendicant It was too bad an omen to resume work in the presence of a beggar Seething with anger he took his employees to task
Who allowed this naked medicant shelter here? 'We did it', said they 'I don't relish it' 'But we do 'He should be ejected 'That we can't do 'Then you are to quit 'We won't mind it'
Seeing the consensus the blacksmith chose to put up with it He drew nearer and the proximity revolutionised his mentality for ever He was pacified 3
- The Lord waged a war against blind-faiths during his tirthankarhood Was it not a reaction of these particular incidents ?'
1 'Awashyakchurni I pt p 290 2 Sixth year of the pursuit 3 'Awashyakchurni i pt p 292
