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300
CHAPTER ELEVEN jewels were reduced to powder, like pieces of stone; the pillars of gośīrşa-sandal were reduced to ashes, like straw. The copings of the walls broke with the sound tadat, taditi; the roofs of the houses fell in with the sound phaďat, phaditi. There was no space between the flames there which were like the water in the ocean. Everything became one fire like one ocean at the destruction of the world. The fire danced, as it were, with hands of flames; the fire thundered, as it were, with its noise; it brought a net, as it were, in the guise of smoke for the fishes of citizens.
Then Krsna said to Sirin: “Alas! Alas! 1, standing on a bank like a eunuch, watch my own city burning. As I am not able to save the city, I can not endure to see it. Elder brother, say where we can go. Every place is barred to us."
Balabhadra said: “ Pāņqu's sons are our friends and connections by blood and marriage. So we shall go to their house.” Kțşņa said: “At that time 295 they were banished by me. How can we, embarrassed by our own offence, go to their house?” Rāma said: “ The noble keep in mind benefits, but never remember injuries, like a bad dream. Many times you have benefited Pāņdu's sons. Grateful, they will make a pūjā, nothing else, brother. Do not think otherwise.".
Assured by Sirin to this effect, Sārngin set out in the southeast to the Pāņdavas' city, Pāņdumathurā.
Now, in the burning city Rāma's son, Kubjavāraka, who was in his last body, (standing) on the top of a palace, his arms held up, said: “I am a disciple of Sri Neminātha, now observing the vow. I was told by the Master that I, having the last body, would attain emancipation. If the Arhat's pronouncement is authority, why am I burned by fire?” At this speech the Jļmbhaka-gods conducted him to the Master's presence.
At that time Śri Nemi had stopped in the Pallava 296
295 97. See above, p. 279. 296 104. LAI identifies this with Parthia.
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