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ABHINANDANACARITRA
255
· Possessing discernment, terrified of existence, knowing the transitoriness of all things, he was not contented with lay-dharma only partly free from passion. Then at the feet of Vimala Sūri he, like a tamed bull, adopted complete self-control, accompanied by pronouncement of the vow. When he was blamed by wicked people, he rejoiced for a long time in his heart. When he was worshipped by the good, on the contrary, he was ashamed. He was not depressed in the least, even when oppressed by the wicked ; even when worshipped by the great, he did not attain pride. Wandering in delightful gardens, etc., he did not glow; he did not turn pale in forests terrible with lions, tigers, etc. In winter he endured nights of intense cold standing outdoors in pratimā, immovable as an elephant-post. In the hot season terrible from the heat of the sun, he did not fade away, practicing austerities in the sun, but shone like cloth 898 purified by fire. In the rainy season, he stood under a tree in pratimā, with both eyes motionless in meditation, like an elephant. He observed all the fasts, ekāvali, ratnāvali, etc.,389 many times, like an insatiable person making acquisition of property. Also, by some sthānakas from among the twenty sthānakas he acquired the body-making karma of a Tirthakặt. After he had observed his vow for a long time, he died after fasting and became a powerful god in the palace Vijaya.
Incarnation as Abhinandana (21-175)
Description of Ayodhyā (21-30) Now in the division named Bharata in this continent Jambūdvipa there is a city, Ayodhyā, equal to Purandara's
898 16. This seems to refer to asbestos, though I can find no record of the known use of asbestos in India at this time. It was in common use in China in the 13th century, according to Marco Polo, and it is not improbable that it was known in India in the 12th century. I know of no other cloth' that would satisfy the condition of being purified by fire.'
899 18. See n. 51.
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