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STORIES OF RAUHINEYA AND OTHERS
your pleasure, like Indra." They addressed him agreeably Have I be
66
they clapped
man
and coaxingly with this introductory speech. come a god?" While the thief reflected thus, their hands for a concert. At that point, a certain carrying a gold scepter approached and abruptly demanded, "What is this, sirs! that you have started in this way?" They replied: "Doorkeeper, we have undertaken this to show our cleverness and accomplishments to our lord." He (the doorkeeper) said: Show your accomplishments to your lord; but nevertheless, have him carry out the customs of heaven." "What custom?" When the man heard this, he said angrily: "Have you forgotten even this? Whoever originates here as a god, relates his own former actions, good and bad; then he may share the joys of heaven." "In the excitement of acquiring a lord, we forgot all this. Favor us. Have the god carry out the practice of heaven," they said. The doorkeeper said to Rauhineya, "Come, tell us your former deeds, good and bad; then later enjoy the delights of heaven."
Then the thief thought: Is such a thing true, or is it a trick planned by Abhaya to test me? How can I determine this?" As he was reflecting thus, he remembered the speech of the Jina that he heard when he extracted the thorn. "If the true nature of the gods as described by Vira fits (them), I shall tell the truth; if not, I shall answer falsely." Reflecting thus, he deliberately observed them as they touched the surface of the earth, impure from perspiration, with withered wreaths and winking eyes. Having detected the whole trick, the thief considered a reply. The doorkeeper said, gods eager (to hear it)." former incarnation I gave gifts to worthy persons, and founded temples; I set up idols and worshipped them with eightfold worship;202 I performed pilgrimages and honored
Please tell the story to all these Rauhiṇeya then related: "In a
202 75. Water, sandal, flowers, incense, lamp of ghi, rice, sweetmeats, fresh fruit. See II, n. 411.
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