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TRANSLATION
227 1131. 'In this house my dear there dwelt a son of King Delusion
accompanied by his wife Pleasure and was a sovereign
ruler 1132. and triumphantly and luxuriously with the best of food
and drink and amusements and unguents his retinue are making an uproar. Now since there has come
to his kingdom where 1133. news has been received of his father's death, this sovereign
called Sorrow accompanied by his wife Unhappiness,
laughter has gone away 1134. and he meets people who go around weeping and beating
themselves, on the verge of swooning, in sombre attire
and lost in thought here in this house; so 1135. whilst he has not yet come to our house let us act in
such a way that we may not be apt for tribulation
but may go to an abode of bliss.' 1136. She replied: 'In this existence we have been harassed
previously but you for my sake made this decision;
now do as you think fit.' 1137. Then after giving to Jaina temples his righteously acquired
wealth he took the vows in the form prescribed by the
Jina in the presence of Susthita Sūri. 1138. Considering friend and foe to be alike and regarding
jewels as grass, and gold as rubble he led a very pure
life as an ascetic steadfast in heart. 1139. Nāgavasū took the vows at the feet of female ascetics
faultlessly and both after a period of spiritual exercises
were reincarnated as gods. 1140. When they were reborn from there they obtained an
excellent human incarnation in Mahāvideha and en
joyed the supreme bliss to which the Jaina vows lead. 1141. If, Kuñcika, this man who was only a lay disciple of Jaina
ascetics did not take the jewelled earring, how could
a sādhu steal the property of others ? 1142. The merchant said : You have recounted this parable
of right conduct, I in turn will tell you the parable of the woodman because you resemble him.'
