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Studies in Juinology, Prakrit
to the Ksapaka and the pious visitors.14
(iv) As no mention of story-telling monks is made here, as given in Bhagavati Aradhanā (gahas 651- 653). It may be assumed that religious tales (dharmakatha) were narrated by the Niryapakācārya himself. This fact seems to be implied in the words Anantavīryanum Bhatarar pelo dharmasramanamam keldu (Anantavīrya listening to dharma as explained by the teacher), for, dharma was (and is even today) preached to the pious laity mainly through dharmakathās.16
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