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souls capable of emancipation who came wishing to become mendicants, Marici sent them to the Master's feet. The Master, Rsabha-bannered, the sole relation (bestowing) benefit without ulterior motive, himself gave initiation to those who came with enlightenment.
One day, when Marici was wandering thus with the Master, a virulent disease appeared in his body, like a wood-insect in wood. The ascetics took no care at all of Marici, who had been outcast by them because he had fallen from his vows, like a monkey outcast by his troop because he had fallen from a support.869 As he had no care, he suffered very much from the disease, like a sugarcane plantation without guards from boars, etc.870 When he, alone, had fallen into a terrible disease like a great forest, Marici reflected, "Alas! In this very existence, my bad karma has risen, since these sadhus, my own people, look upon me with indifference, as if I were an enemy. And yet, no sadhu can be blamed for not caring for me, any more than the sun for making the owl blind. How could they, who have ceased from all censurable activity, do service to me who am engaged in censurable things, like well-born people to an outcast? It is not fitting to make them serve me, for that would lead to the spread of evil rising from the breaking of vows. So, I should look for some one with weak dharma like myself to care for me. For deer consort with deer.'' Reflecting thus, Marici recovered, somehow or other. For in course of time salty ground becomes free from salt.
One day, a Rajput named Kapila, a man who would attain emancipation after a long time, came from some
969 30. Apparently, it is an unpardonable offense for a monkey to fall. I have not been able to find any more definite allusion, though several persons have told me such a belief is current.
870 31. The destruction of their crops by wild animals constitutes a serious problem for Indian farmers. It is customary to keep watch at night. Wild pigs are among the worst offenders and are especially fond of sugar-cane.
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