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CHAPTER SIX
other, fell under the raised foot of poor you. You saw the hare placed that way and, your heart filled with compassion, stood with your foot raised just so, like one wearing a chain because of rutting. After two and half days the fire died down and the animals, the hare and others, went away. You, worn out by hunger and thirst, started for a drink. Because of one foot being weak from being held up so long, you fell on the ground and, helpless from the torture of hunger and thirst, died after three days.
Now you were born a king's son from the merit acquired by compassion for the hare. Will you pass uselessly this human birth won with difficulty? Then you underwent pain in that way to protect a hare. Now why are you crushed by the discomfort of jostling by, the sadhus' feet? You obtained such fruit from the gift of freedom from fear to one creature, therefore you have well undertaken the gift of freedom from fear to all creatures. Keep your promise; cross the ocean of births; indeed, this human birth, difficult to attain, is adequate for its crossing.
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Meghakumāra became firm in the vow from this speech of the Master. He repented his sin and practiced various penances. After keeping the vow completely he became a god in Vijaya after death. After falling from there and being born in the Videhas, he will attain emancipation.
The story of Nandişena (408-439)
One day, enlightened by the Master's preaching, with a wish to take the vow Nandişena obtained King Śrenika's permission with difficulty. With his father's approval, he left the house to take the vow and was addressed by a deity standing in the air as follows:
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Son, why are you eager to take the vow, since you have karma which has pleasure as its fruit and is obstructive to right conduct? Wait for some time at home. Become a mendicant when that karma is destroyed. Action at the wrong time does not bear fruit. "
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