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PREVIOUS BIRTHS OF PARSVANATHA
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Vajranābha. Moon to the night-blooming lotus of the world, cherished by nurses, he gradually grew up, with joy to his parents. In course of time he attained youth, expert in weapons and sciences; and he was installed on the throne by his father himself on a pure day. Vajravirya took the vow with his wife; but Vajranabha guarded properly the kingdom given by him.
In time there was a son, like another form of Vajranābha, named Cakrāyudha, like Cakrāyudha (Viṣṇu) in strength. Cakrayudha-the bee to the lotus-hands of nurses-grew along with the desire for mendicancy on the part of his father who was terrified of worldly existence. Complete with the arts like the moon with digits, the prince attained youth and his father begged him: "Take the kingdom. But I, depressed by existence, the burden being taken now by you, shall undertake mendicancy, the only means of emancipation."
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Cakrayudha said: 'Because of what fault committed from thoughtlessness and irresponsibility is there such disfavor to me? Pardon that, lord. Guard the kingdom as well as myself for a long time. Do not abandon me, father, after guarding me for so long."
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Vajranabha said: "There is no fault on your part, faultless one. But sons, like horses, are guarded for lifting a burden. Do you, having been born and having reached military age, fulfil my wish in the sphere of mendicancy now. For it has been known even from your birth. If I, even though you were born, weighed down by the burden, fall into the ocean of existence, then who will strive for good sons?" Saying this, the king.installed him on the throne, though he was unwilling, by his own command. For the command of the elder is very powerful for the well-born.
Then the Blessed Jina, Kṣemañkara, came and stopped in a garden outside the city. After hearing that, Vajranābha thought: "The coming of the Arhat because of (my) merit is favorable to my wish." He, wishing to become a mendicant, went with great magnificence at once and paid homage to the
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