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ÓHAPTER FOUR of your relatives, but, stupid, will come here." Sāgara agreed and his father-in-law told the story to the king. For that is the rule of the far-seeing.
One day the ship came to that shore and was recognized by the king's agents from signs described by Sāgara. The king's men asked all the wretched sailors: 372 “ Who is the owner of the cargo? What is the cargo?' And how much is here?” They, terrified and answering one way and another, were obseryed and the agents quickly summoned Sāgaradatta. When they saw Sāgara, terrified, they bowed and said: “At that time we, candālas in acts, did a wicked thing, lord. Yet you were saved by your merit, but we have been brought to the edge of capital punishment on your account. Do what is fitting to be done by the master.” 373 Compassionate Sāgara had them released by the king's men, gave them some food for the journey, and dismissed them, pure in mind. He, noble-minded, was highly honored by the king, saying, “He has merit," and he acquired much money from the merchandise on the boat.
He gave gifts and, seeking dharma, asked the teachers of dharma: 374 " I wish to make the god of gods in jewels. Say who he is.” There was no agreement among them who had no trace of the truth about god. Then a learned man said: “Do not ask stupid men like me. After practicing penance, and investing a jewel with divinity,375 concentrate your thoughts. The gods will tell you who is the supreme god."
Sāgara did so and at the end of a three-day fast, a deity showed him a purifying statue of a Tirthakara. The deity said to him, “Sir, this is the Supreme God, whose true nature the munis--no others---know.” With these words, the deity
372 31. Pejorative -ka? MW quotes karņadhara, sailor,' karnadharaka, 'helmsman.' But as there were several persons concerned here, they must have been the sailors.
373 34. The instrumental presents a difficulty here. I have found no other MS reading. It seems necessary to supply a verb.
374 37. Not Jainas, of course. Pārsva., p. 169, n. 4 is an error, 375 39. See Pārsva., p. 199,
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