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CHAPTER SEVEN
himself and went away. After he had gone to the samavasarana and paid homage to the Supreme Lord, at the proper time the king asked for the story of the evil-smelling girl.
The Master related: "In Saligrama in a neighboring country there were a wealthy sheth, Dhanamitra, and his daughter, Dhanaśrī. One time when the sheth had commenced Dhanaśri's wedding, some sadhus on their tour came in the hot weather. Her father instructed her, Give food to the sadhus.' She, well-mannered, began at once to give them food. As she was giving them food, she smelled a bad odor from the munis whose bodies and clothes were wet with perspiration. She, whose clothes were fragrant and clean, wearing various ornaments, anointed with unguent, confused by her fine apparel, thought: All the dharma taught by the Arhats is beyond censure. (But) if one should bathe in water free from life, what sin would it be?' Bad karma arose from the disgust at the bad odor from the munis' perspiration, as she had died without confessing and repenting that.
After death, O king, she entered a courtesan's womb in Rajagṛha and even in the womb caused her mother distress. Daily the courtesan drank remedies to make a miscarriage, but the embryo did not fall. What remedy is stronger than karma? The courtesan bore this daughter evil-smelling because of the karma and abandoned her like excrement, as soon as she left the womb."
Again Śreņika asked the Supreme Lord, 66 Will she experience pleasant or unpleasant things?" The Master said: She has consumed all the unpleasant. Hear how she will experience pleasant things. For eight years she will be your chief-queen. This will be the sign causing her recognition in this. Whoever makes swan-play on your back as you play in the harem, know that this one is she, King of Magadha." Thinking, Oh! this is a wonder. How will she become my wife?" the king bowed to the Supreme Lord and went home.
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The odor left Durgandha from the wearing away of
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