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BRAHMADATTACAKRICARITA
349
lifted by the wind. Just as you conquered external enemies to gain the earth, so conquer internal enemies to gain emancipation. Take the duties of sadhus; abandon everything else, after separating them. For a rajahansa takes milk after separating it from water."
seen,
Brahmadatta then said: "By good fortune you have been brother. This sovereignty is yours alone. Enjoy pleasures as you like. For pleasures are the fruit of penance. Why do you practice penance? Who would struggle, when his purpose has been self-accomplished?"
66
The muni said: "My wealth was like Dhanada's. I abandoned it like straw from fear of wandering in births. You, your merit exhausted, have come to this earth from Saudharma. Your merit being exhausted, do not go from here to a low state of existence, king. After obtaining a human birth in an Aryan country in a highest family, which confers emancipation, you gain pleasures by that, like cleansing the feet with nectar. Recalling how we wandered in low categories after falling from heaven, our merit exhausted, why are you confused, king, like a child?"
Even so enlightened by him, the king did not become enlightened. How is there any growth of the seed of enlightenment on the part of those who have made a nidana? After enlightening him who was most unenlightened, the muni went elsewhere. How long do reciters of spells remain after a bite by a serpent commanded by Death? The muni attained brilliant omniscience by destruction of destructive karmas; after destroying the karmas prolonging existence, he attained the highest step (emancipation).
Story of the Naga and Nagiņi (512-571)
Brahmadatta continued to be served by kings, passing years with the splendor of a cakrin, like Šakra on earth. One day a horse with marks like one of the seven horses of the Sun was sent by the lord of the Yavanas as a present. Brahmadatta
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