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ŚREŅIKA, MEGHAKUMĀRA AND NANDIŞEŅA 139 a minister's sons of the same age, named Senaka, a supreme example of all bad characteristics. He had tawny hair, like a mountain whose peak was blazing with a forest-fire; he was flat-nosed like an owl and yellow-eyed like a cat; his lips and neck were pendulant like a camel's; his ears small like a mole's; he had a row of teeth outside (his lips) that had the appearance of shoots from the bulb of his mouth; he was big-bellied like a person with dropsy; his thighs were small like a domestic pig's; his shanks bowed as if by a round seat; his feet bigger than a winnowing basket.
Wherever the misshapen wretch went, there laughter attained sole command. Prince Sumangala laughed at him coming, even at a distance, as if he had seen a deformed clown. Ridiculed thus by the prince day and night, Senaka felt disgust with existence, the great fruit of the tree of contempt. Then the unfortunate Senaka, with disgust with existence produced, left the city, vacant-minded like an insane person.
After some time while the minister's son was away, Prince Sumangala was established by his father on his throne. In his wandering Senaka saw an abbot in the forest, became an ascetic at his side, and took the usțrikā-vow. 148 Constantly and excessively tormenting himself by severe penance, one day he went to that same Vasantapura with the ascetic (his guru). All the people honored him, saying, “ He is a minister's son and an ascetic.” Questioned about the reason for his disgust with existence, he explained:
“Prince Sumangala laughed at this figure of mine. Because of that my disgust with existence was born, earnestmoney of a wealth of penance.”
King Sumangala heard that and went to pay respect to him, begged for forgiveness, and invited him cordially for breaking his fast. He gave the king a blessing and consented to his request. The king went to his house like one who has
148 23. "Sädhu of Ājivika-faith who practices penance by sitting in a large jar.' PH, s.v. uffiyāśamaņa.
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