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CHAPTER XII OMNISCIENCE AND WANDERING OF MAHAVIRA; SOVEREIGNTY OF UDĀYIN; LIFE OF KUŅIKA; MENDICANCY OF ABHAYA; LIFE OF FUTURE
KING KUMĀRAPĀLA
Conclusion of Udāyana-story (1–35)
Abhaya bowed again and asked the Supreme Lord, “What will be the future fate of the royal sage, Udāyana ?” Then the Blessed One, son of the Jñāta-family, intent upon the wearing away of strong tirthakst-karma, explained:
“One day, as Muni Udāyana wanders over the earth, he will be attacked by severe illness due to unwholesome food at the wrong season. One day his doctors, with unimpeachable intentions, will say to the muni, 'Eat curds, O ocean of the jewels of good qualities, though you are indifferent to the body. Then the great muni Udāyana will wander to the cattle-stations; for alms of curds, free from faults, are easy to get there.
One day Udāyana will go to the town Vitabhaya governed by his sister's son, King Kesin. Kesin will be told by his ministers when they learned that Udāyana had come:
Certainly your maternal uncle is disgusted with penance. After abandoning a wealthy kingdom and a rank like Indra, regretting it, certainly he has come for the kingdom. By no means be trustful.' Kesin will say: 'Let him take the kingdom now. Who am I? What cause for anger is there, if a rich man takes the money of a cowherd ?' The ministers will say: 'The kingdom came to you from your merit. It was not given by anyone. The duty of kings is not such. Who would take a kingdom by force from father, brother, uncle, or a friend, or even an enemy? Who gives it up, when it has been given?'
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