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EMANCIPATION OF AJITA SVÂMIN AND SAGARA 213 Nāgas. The bones of Sagara's sons were carried to the Eastern Ocean by the current of the Gangā. Bhagiratha thought, “ This has turned out well, indeed, that the bones of my forefathers 366 have come to the ocean by the Gangā. Otherwise, adhering to the bills and feet of vultures, etc., they would fall into impure places, like flowers blown up by the wind.”
While he was so reflecting, he was praised for a long time by the people delighted because they were freed from the calamity of the rushing water, saying, “You are a cherisher of the people.” Because he threw his forefathers' bones in the water then, even now the people throw them in. Whatever path has been adopted by the great, that is the path (for the people).
Bhagiratha returned from that place, seated in his chariot, making the earth produce a noise like cymbals by the advance of his chariot. As he was going along, he saw a blessed muni who was omniscient, standing like a kalpa-tree on the road. He descended from his best chariot joyfully, like the sun from the eastern mountain, like Garuda from the sky. Bowing to the omniscient muni with devotion as soon as he saw him, he, skilled in devotion, very courteous, circumambulated him three times. After bowing to him, standing before him, Bhagiratha asked, “ Because of what karma did my forefathers die together?” The blessed muni, knowing the three periods of time, an ocean of compassion, began to speak in a voice pouring out sweetness :
Reason for the death of Sagara's sons (589-601)
“Once upon a time a congregation composed of very wealthy laymen like partners of Srida and Sri, started out to make a pilgrimage to holy places. At evening the congregation arrived at a village in a barbarous country and passed the night in a potter's house. When they
866 579. Really his father and uncles.
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