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CHAPTER II
PREVIOUS BIRTHS OF PĀRŠVANĀTHA
Homage to Sri Pārśvanatha. Protector, Supreme Spirit, tree for the support of the creeper of all the auspicious occasions (kalyāṇa). Now the very purifying life of Pārśvanātha is celebrated for the benefit of the whole world and for my own benefit.
Incarnation as Marubhūti (3-55)
In this zone, named Bharata, of this same Jambūdvīpà, there is a city Potanapura like a new piece of heaven. The ornament of the earth, a habitation for meetings with Śrī, it is frequented by kings, like the lotus-bed of a river by hañsas. Rich men there shone like younger brothers of Śrida because of their wealth and like full brothers of a wishing-tree because of their great generosity. It was magnificent beyond the sphere of words from its resemblance to Amaravati; or rather, Amaravati was magnificent because of a resemblance to it. Its king was named Aravinda, bee to the lotus-feet of the Arhat, the abode of Śri, like the ocean. Just as he was unique among the powerful, so he was among the discerning. Just as he was chief of the wealthy, so he was of the glorious. Just as he divided money among the poor, protectorless, and unfortunate people, so he divided day and night among the aims of existence. Corresponding to the king, there was a Brahman, a family-priest, an advanced layman, who knew the Principles-soul, non-soul, et cetera, named Viśvabhūti. He had two sons, Kamatha and Marubhūti, older and younger, borne by Anuddharā. Varuņā was the name of Kamatha's wife and Vasundhara of Marubhuti's, endowed with beauty and grace. Both (the sons) had learned the arts and both were competent in the acquisition of property, affectionate towards each other, a source of joy to their parents. Recalling the formula of homage to the
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