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CHAPTER TEN
of all the people and of you also." Hearing that, Śalibhadra thought despondently: Out upon this lordship in worldly existence since there is another lord of even me. Henceforth, enough of these pleasures of mine like coils of a serpent; I shall take initiation at Sri Vira's feet very soon."
So filled with desire for emancipation, at his mother's insistence, he went with his wives and bowed respectfully to the king. Śreņika embraced him and set him on his lap, like a son. When his head was smelled from affection, he shed tears at once. Bhadra said: "Your Majesty, let him go, since, although a mortal, he suffers from the scent of garlands of mortals. The sheth became a god and daily brings him and his wives divine finery, garments, unguents,
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et cetera."
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Then dismissed by the king, he went to the seventh story. Bhadra informed the king, You must dine here," and the king agreed to that from courtesy to Bhadra. She arranged everything at once. What does not succeed with the wealthy? Then the king bathed quickly with oil, water, and powder suitable for the bath; and a ring fell from his finger into the house-tank. While the king was searching for it here and there, Bhadra instructed the slave-girl, Draw off the tank-water to another place." When she had done so, the king was astonished to see his ring like a charcoal in the midst of bright, divine ornaments. by the king, What is this?" said, Every day what has been worn the day before by Śalibhadra and his wives is thrown here." The king reflected, "He is certainly very rich and now I am rich in whose realm there are such people." Then the chief of kings and his attendants dined and, honored with various ornaments, garments, et cetera, went home.
The slave-girl, asked
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While Salibhadra was wishing for release from worldly existence, a friend in religion came and told him, A muni named Dharmaghosa, like dharma embodied, who has four kinds of knowledge, honored by gods and asuras, has come to the garden." Then Salibhadra joyfully got into his
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