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THE RECOVERY OF DRAUPADI
287
287 Movement during the rains (200–205) One day at the beginning of the rainy season, Neminātha, giving delight to the people like a cloud, approached Dvārakā and stopped in a samavasaraņa. Attending on him, Krşņa said, “ Blessed One, why do you and other sadhus not wander in the rains?” The Master said: “During the rains, the ground is covered with various jīvas (living creatures). The sādhus, bestowing freedom from fear on the jīvas, do not move about then.” Kțşņa said: “If that is so, I, coming and going with a large retinue, cause destruction of many jivas. I will not leave my house during the rains.” Making a vow to this effect, Krşņa went away and entered his own house. Sārngabhịt instructed the door-keepers. “During the rains, no one must be admitted to my house."
The story of the weaver (206–247) In that city there was a weaver, named Vira, exceedingly devoted to Vişnu. After he had seen Kțşņa and paid homage to him, he ate, but not otherwise. Not being admitted to Hari's house at that time, standing at the door, he made a pūjā directed to Hari day after day. Sometimes he did not eat because he had not seen Vişņu. The rains over, Hari left his house. All the kings and the miserable Vira 275 attended him; and Vāsudeva asked Viraka, “Why are you emaciated ? ” The door-keepers told him the circumstances, the cause of emaciation, and Krşņa, compassionate, gave him free access to his house.
Then Krşņa went with his retinue to pay homage to Nemi and heard yatidharma (the duties of sādhus), and he said to the Master: “I am not able to bear asceticism, Lord. Nevertheless, let this be my decision: to have initiation taken by others and to approve them. Whoever wishes to become a mendicant, I shall not hinder him and shall hold a departurefestival for him like a son."
275 209.
I think this is a case of the pejorative -ka.
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