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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
AJITASENA-VYAKARANAM
hard and soft, he enquired of the latter if there was any garden nearby and on hearing that there was one such owned by the king, he wanted to see it. He selected it for his dwelling as it had all the necessary equipments, viz., a cold water tank for summer, and a tank for the rainy season with water, neither very hot nor very cold, both having golden steps running down into the water; Asoka, Mucilinda, Pāțali and such other Power-trees giving out scents ; Suka, Sārikā, Cakravāka, Mayūra, and, Kokila birds singing sweet songs; golden lotus flowers and so forth. As soon as king Ajitasena learnt from him that he liked the place, he struck the drum; on hearing the sound his ministers assembled and enquired of him about the reason for making the sound. He asked them to make ready his chariots drawn by horses and elephants, as he wanted to go to the garden. In company with the Mahāśrāvaka, the king came to the garden and asked him as to the kind of cottage (kuţikam) needed by him. The Mahāśrāvaka replied, "O king, build one according to your heart's content and regard for me.” The king then ordered his chief minister to build a hermitage 30 yojanas long and 6 yojanas wide well-decorated with jewels, and pearls, having a terraced walk 4 yojanas long and 2 yojanas wide. He then offered it to Nandimitra, saying in verses :
"The hermitage and a dry and beautiful walk have been completed, now rescue the beings; it was a great resolution made by you that you would preach the dharma."
He then returned to his capital leaving Nandimitra in the garden-hermitage.
When Nandimitra entered into meditation, his hair, eyes, hands, chest, stomach, legs—all limbs became quite different (anyena keśa anyena nayanā anyena bāhuni anyena hrdayam anyena udaram etc.). For seven days the king eulogised him but the words did not reach the ears of the Mahāśrāvaka. After some
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