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the life of a man which is hard to obtain. Does anybody buy a quartz for the price of a lapis lazuli?
He further advised Kumāranandin to ensure higher pleasures by engaging himself in the practice of the true religion.
The religion taught by the Jinas gives riches to those who desire riches, brings about all pleasures, and is the cause of attaining heaven and final beatitude.
Even then Kumaranandin would not be shaken from his firm resolve to go back to the two goddesses for the pleasure. He died a death by fire and became the ruler of Pancaśaila. This produced in Nagila a disqust for human existence in which men suffer for the sake of the objects of their pleasure. He thereupon renounced his life and was admitted in the Acyuta heaven. But he could not forget
s friend whom once he saw through his superhuman knowledge (avadhi) and felt sad to see him still running to the island of Nandisvara with the drum hanging around his neck. He went to meet Kumāranandin but owing to the change in his appearance which was now dazzlingly bright, he could not recognise him. Nagila then assumed his old shape and form that Kumaranandin could at once recognise. His mind felt greatly disturbed and he begged of Nāgila to instruct him.
"What shall I do now?" he asked pathetically and Nagila advised to make
an image of the Lord Vardhamana. From that then the germ of true faith will spring for you. And it is said : Whosoever causes to be made the images of the Jinas, who have conquered love and hate and delusion obtains in another birth the jewel of the most excellent religion which brings forth happiness. He also assured him with another saying: Poverty, misfortune, an inferior station, contempt, disease and sorrow do not fall to the lot of those who have images of the Jinas made.
Kumaranandin for the first time now felt convinced and collected gos'i rsa wood and carved out an image of Vardhamāna.
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