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STORIES OF RAUHINEYA AND OTHERS
Story of Kapila (465-534)
The ministers answered: Master, there is a fine city, Kauśāmbi, and in it there was a king suitably named Jitaśatru. He had a chaplain, a Brahman named Kaśyapa, who had crossed the ocean of the entire sphere of knowledge. He had a wife, Punaryaśas, and they had a son, Kapila. In his infancy Kasyapa died and Kapila was without a protector. The king, disregarding the boy, appointed another Brahman to Kasyapa's position. Of what value is custom without suitability? The Brahman roamed in the city, mounted on a prancing horse, with the splendor of an umbrella, his body untouched by the sun's rays. At the sight of him, Kapila's mother recalled her husband's splendor and wept. Weeping is the friend in misfortune of the unhappy-fated. Kapila wept aloud also when he saw his mother weeping. is reflected in a friend like an image in a mirror.
Sorrow
Shedding tears from both eyes, Kapila lifted up his face that resembled a strainer with two streams and said to his mother, "Why are you crying?" She replied: "Just as this Brahman is flourishing with splendor, so was your father. Recalling that, son, I weep. Your father's wealth has been obtained by him, indeed, since you have not acquired the (necessary) qualities. The father's wealth is not preserved even by sons, if they are worthless." Kapila said, Then, mother, I shall study to become qualified." She said: "Everyone here is envious. Who will teach you? If you have such an intention, go to the city Śrāvasti. There is a friend of your father, a Brahman named Indradatta. Son, he, wellpleased, will make you having come seeking knowledge full of arts, like a son, equal to your father."
Kapila went to Indradatta, bowed, made himself known, and said, Teach me, father. There is no one else to be my protector." The teacher replied: "You are the son of my brother, certainly. Your father is not disgraced by you seeking knowledge thus. However, I say I am helpless in the
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