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72
Life and Stories of Pārçvanātha
concerns of the body to concerns of the soul, and became as one who has attained salvation while yet alive (jivanmukta). There are four different grades of men who according to their various characters are influenced differently by stories. They are connected with the three so-called guņas, or qualities': tamas, darkness '; rajas, ` passion '; and sattva, goodness,' culminating in sāttvikā narottamāḥ, 'most excellent men of sattva character 66 (1038). Kiraņavega then thanked the Sage, resorted to his protection, and made over his kingdom to his son Kiraṇatejas. With the permission of the Guru he went to Puşkaradvipa, and passed some time on the mountain of Vāitādhya, in austere penance, carrying an image of the Jina. The soul of the kurkuța serpent (1. 858 ff.) came from hell, being reborn there as a great serpent.66e Owing to their prenatal enmity the serpent bit Kiraṇavega. The later regarded this as the result of his karma, died contentedly and forgivingly, and was reborn as a god in Jambūdrumāvarta.57 The serpent was burned by a forest-fire, and went to the Dhūmaprabhā hell,68 which is vividly described. Final blessing (1027-1065).
56. The same classification in 6. 544, and a similar application of the gunas in Mahābhārata 14. 36. 1 ff.
BOFourth pre-birth of the future Meghamalin. 67 Fifth pre-birth of the future Pārsva. 18 Fifth pre-birth of the future Meghamälin.
