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CHAPTER EIGHT heard that by rumor and, surrounded by Ajīvakas, was filled with anger, like a black cobra.
Now, the Master's disciple, Ananda, head of the elders, entered the city for alms to break a two-day fast. Seated in Hālāhalā's house, Gośāla called Muni Ānanda, who had come in his vicinity, and said contemptuously: "O Ānanda, your ācārya, Vira, seeking respect for himself from the people, reviles me very much in public. He says that I am the son of a Mankha, not an Arhat, not an omniscient. Does he not know my hot flash which is capable of consuming an enemy? I will reduce to ashes him and his followers. I will spare you alone. Hear an example:
In the past Avasara, Prasara, Samvāda, Kāraka, and Bhalana were traders in the city Kșemilā. They filled carts with merchandise and went on a trading trip. As they went, they entered by some road or other a waterless forest. The five were suffering from thirst, like travelers on a desert road, and searched for water, roaming over the forest.
As he roamed about, Avasara saw an ant-hill with five peaks and he showed it to his four friends. At once they broke open its east peak together and got water from it and, after drinking, were restored to good condition.
Then Prasara said: “Its south peak should be broken open. Surely we shall get some other treasure from it.' Avasara said: 'It is not proper to open it. A serpent will come out of it. An ant-hill is the home of serpents.' Samvada, disagreeing with this, said, “No serpent came out of the east peak when it was broken open.' Again Avasara said, “By chance there was water here.' Then Kāraka said, 'By chance there will be money in this one.' With these words Kāraka began to dig. Saying, “This is not my opinion, Avasara went to his cart.
Bhalana said: 'If Avasara has gone, let him go. We will dig without him.' And all dug. At once drammas fell out of that peak of the ant-hill when it had been opened and the four, without Avasara, divided and took them. Then
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