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CHAPTER FOUR
Gokula for alms. The basest of gods, evil-minded, created a fault in the alms at every house whatever where the Master went. Employing knowledge and perception, the Master new that the basest of gods had not desisted and he, giving up alms, stood outside in statuesque posture. When the god looked by means of clairvoyance, thinking, “Does he have any frustrated development?” he saw the Lord undisturbed. The god reflected: “He was unshaken by attacks made continuously for six months, like Mt. Sahya by ocean-water. He certainly will not move from meditation for a long time. My procedure against him was useless like that of an elephant in the destruction of a mountain. After abandoning the comfort and pleasures of heaven like one destroyed by a curse, how long have I wandered over the earth, alas! deceived by my own stupidity !”
With these reflections the god, his hands folded respectfully, sad-faced, ashamed, bowed to the Teacher of the World and said: “ Just as you were praised by Sakra in the council, so you are. You have been persecuted by me in this way because I did not believe what he said. You have the affirmation of the truth; but I have my vow broken. It was not well done by me. Pardon me for that, Depository of Compassion. I shall go to heaven, pacified, averse to attacks. Do you go without anxiety to villages, mines, cities, et cetera. Enter villages for alms, enjoy food free from faults. The faults in alms before were caused by me, nothing else.'
The Master said: “Dismiss anxiety, god Sangamaka. We are dependent on no one. We wander as we like.” The basest of gods bowed to Sri Vira saying this and, remorseful, went to Puruhuta's city.
Now for so long a time the gods living in Saudharma had been joyless, languid, and depressed. Even Sakra, fine apparel and unguents laid aside, exceedingly unhappy, averse to concerts, et cetera, thought to himself: “I was the cause of such severe attacks. The god became angry at my praise of the Master.” Just then Sangamaka, soiled with the mud
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