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322 TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MANIPATI-CARITA
408. He caused him to remember his former existence and said: 'Why do you not take the initiation in the creed of the Jina?' He replied: 'I have no desire to.'
409. Realising that he would not understand without suffering adversity the god devised a statagem: he assumed the form of the meda and spoke thus, weeping:
410. If my daughter were living to-day then her marriage would be being celebrated in my house.' The meda woman replied:
411.
'Do not weep, this is your son.' Then the meda woman recounted everything and the real meda, being enraged, dragged him away from the celebration saying: You evil boy,
412. how is it that you who are my son are marrying the daughters of the merchants?' Then he took him to his house and threw him into the cellar but said: 'Let food and
413. drink be dropped into his mouth.' divine form said: Take the
Then the god in his vow.' He Metarya replied: Who are you?' The other answered: 'I am a god.'
414. From the heaven world I have come here in order to enlighten you.' The other remembering his previous birth said: 'I have been humiliated; what shall I do ? '
415. The god replied: 'I will cause the king's daughter to be given to you so that you may be without stain among the people.' The other said: 'Do so.'
417.
416. Then he created a goat which excreted jewels and in the meda's shape the god took them and gave them to Śreņika saying:
'Give your daughter to my son.' Then the king's bodyguard kept him out and continued to do so, but Abhaya said: What is the provenance of the jewels?
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So
418. The meda replied: 'The goat excretes them.' Abhaya said: 'If you give it to the king, the king's daughter will be given you.'
