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CELANA'S PALACE, DURGANDHĀ, ARDRAKUMĀRA
and the prince considered himself like one held a prisoner. Ardraki, intelligent, as he had set his heart on going to Abhaya, began to ride daily on the bridle-path. The vassalbodyguards horseback stayed at his side. The prince, riding his horse, went some distance and returned. So riding his horse, he went further and further and again turned and came back, and they had confidence in him.
One day Ardraka's son had his own confidential agents make ready a boat on the ocean. Ardraki had the boat filled with jewels and had the statue of the Arhat mounted on its bow. At the same time, riding his horse, he went out of sight as before and, embarking in that boat, went to the Aryan country. Disembarking from the boat, he sent the statue to Abhaya, sowed his wealth in the seven fields,170 and put on the dress of an ascetic. When he began to pronounce the sāmāyika, a deity standing in the air addressed him aloud: Even if you are noble in character, nevertheless do not take initiation. You still have karma with the fruit of pleasure. So be patient. When you have consumed the karma with the fruit of pleasure, take the vow at the proper time. Most certainly that which is to be enjoyed must be enjoyed even by the Tirthakṛts. Noble sir, enough of the vow, since it will be abandoned, if taken. What is the use in eating when what has been eaten is vomited?
Ārdrakakumāra, having assumed strength of character, did not heed the deity's speech and himself became a mendicant. Enlightened by himself, observing a severe vow, one day the muni came to the town Vasantapura, in his wandering. He stood in a statuesque posture in some temple outside and achieved concentrated meditation by abandonment of all anxieties.
183
Story of Srimati (263-305)
Now in this city there was an excellent sheth, Devadatta, 170 255. Statues of the Jinas, shrines of the Jinas, Jain Scriptures, and the fourfold congregation. Rajendra, s. v. sattakhetti.
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