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ŚRI MAHĀPADMACAKRICARITRA
97
son's adventures which were like nectar to their ears, his parents expanded like watered trees.
Then Ācārya Suvrata, initiated by Munisuvrata, came there in his wandering and made a stop. King Padmottara went with his retinue, bowed to him, and listened to his preaching, the mother of disgust with worldly existence. The king said to the ācārya, “Wait here, Master, until I come for initiation after I have installed my son on the throne." "Do not show negligence,” told by the sūri, the king paid homage to his feet and entered his own town. After summoning the chief men, his ministers, vassals, et cetera, King Padmottara said to Vişnukumāra:
Worldly existence is an ocean of pain and activity of the body increases it, as the desire for something unsuitable on the part of a sick man increases the disease. To me falling into existence, Lord Suyrata has come here by my merit, like a man offering an arm to a blind man who has gone near a well. So today, let Vişņukumāra be installed on the throne. I am going to take the vow under Suvrata, certainly."
Vişņu replied, "I have no use for the throne, father. I shall become a mendicant after you. I shall travel by your path.” Then the king summoned Padma and spoke to him urgently, “Child, take the throne, so we may become mendicants.” His hands folded in submission, Padma said: “That is not fitting, father, while my elder brother, Vişnukumāra, the same as a father, is living. Vişnu, competent in the world, should be installed on the throne, but I shall become his heir-apparent, like a footman.” The king said, “He does not wish the kingdom, though asked to take it, but he wishes to become a mendicant with me."
Then Padma became silent and was inaugurated as king by King Padmottara at the same time he was inaugurated as cakrin. His departure-ceremony celebrated by Padma, King Padmottara took the vow at Suvrata's feet, together with Vişņukumāra.
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