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CHAPTER NINE
mothers, brothers, and princes by the crore, by all the women of the harem and by the sixteen thousand kings, Hari went to the samavasarana with great magnificence. After dismounting from the elephant even at a distance and laying aside royal insignia, Hari entered the samavasaraṇa by the north door. After circumambulating and bowing to Nemi, Särngabhṛt sat down behind Sakra and the others in the proper places.
Indra and Upendra bowed again to Jinendra Nemi and began to recite a hymn of praise in a voice purified by devotion. Stuti (290-297)
266
"Homage to you, Lord of the World, benefactor to all the universe, firm in chastity from birth, a hero of compassion, protector. By good fortune you have destroyed the destructive karmas, Master, by pure meditation for fifty-four days. Not only is the Yadu family, Lord, but also the three worlds, adorned by you brilliant with the light of omniscience. The ocean of existence, which is very deep and uncrossable, Master, would be a mere puddle, ankle-deep, by the favor of your feet. Everyone's heart is divided by the charms of women, lord. Your adamant heart-no other in the world-is undivided. Now your brothers' words, trying to prevent your taking the vow, are a reason for remorse, as they see this glory of yours. By good fortune you were not made to stumble at that time by the throngs of relatives who were evilly persistent. You, whose omniscience has arisen unstumbling because of the world's merit, protect us! May you be in my heart, O god, wherever I am or whatever I do. What need do I have of another!"
After this hymn of praise, Indra and Upendra became silent; and the Lord began a sermon in a language suited to every dialect.
Sermon (299-363)
"All creatures' wealth is as momentary as a flash of lightning; unions end in separations, resembling wealth obtained
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