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In the Saudharma heaven, where Indra lives, there came a god from the Isāna heaven. Every one around was struck by the brightness of his body which had rendered the splendour of all other gods present in the assembly pale. They all enquired who he was and how could he possess the brightness of twelve sun-rises. Indra explained that in his former life he had performed a peculiar form of penance which blesses a person with something that goes on increasing. Indra was further asked whether there was anybody else who had been blessed with such splendour and beauty to which Indra replied that the splendour and beauty of Sanatkumāra, who is the universal sovereign in Hastinapura surpassed even that of the gods. This reply did not convince the gods, two of whom Vijaya and Vaijayanta offered to see it for themselves. Accordingly, they took the form of two Brahmins and came to the palace of Sanatkumāra at a time when the king was engaged in getting his body anointed with perfume and oil. The two gods were astonished to see the perfection of the beauty and complexion of his body which appeared to be even greater than the description that Indra had given. When the king asked them for what purpose they had come, they frankly confessed that it was only to satisfy their curiosity regarding the beauty of the king's person which was being praised all over. Sanatkumāra said: "O Brahmins, how could you have seen my beauty ? Wait a little while till I enter the hall of audience." As the Brahmins waited there, Sanatkumāra had a quick bath, put on his elegant dress, wore all his jewellery and occupied the throne. But when the Brahmins were called and they looked at the king they felt very sad and when asked they said they were pained that the beauty, grace and youthful bloom of men should have vanished so quickly. Sanatkumăra expressed surprise at it and asked them what fault could they have found with his body to which they said that the brilliance of his beauty and the youthful bloom that they had seen on him before he came to the hall of audience had already vanished by the time he came there and that they had felt dismayed at the transience of beauty in human life. They said the beauty and bloom of the gods remained from the first moment till only six months of their life are left. Then they diminish. But with human beings things are different. Their bloom and beauty
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