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FRIENDS AND ADMIRERS
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entered Shravasti standing in her chariot with the public lining the road on both sides. The public showered gifts on her, but these she distributed among the people.
Migara was a follower of the Niganthas and soon after Visakha’s arrival in his house, he sent for them and told her to minister to them. But Visakha repulsed by their nudity, refused to pay them homage.
The Niganthas urged that she should be sent away, but Migara bided his time.
One day as Migara was eating, while Visakha stood fanning him, a monk was seen standing outside the house. Visakha stood aside that Migara might see him. But Migara continued to eat without noticing the monk.
Seeing this Visakha said to the monk, “Pass on, sir, my father-in-law eats stale fare.” Migara was angry and threatened to send her away, but at her request the matter was referred to her sponsors.
They inquired into the several charges brought against her and adjudged her not guilty.
Visakha then gave orders that preparations be made for her return to her parents. Both Migara and his wife begged for forgiveness which she granted, on condition that he would invite to the house the Buddha and his monks.
This he did, but, owing to the influence of the Niganthas, he left Visakha to entertain them, and only consented to hear the Buddha’s sermon at the end of the meal from behind a curtain.
He was, however, so convinced by the sermon that he became a convert.
His gratitude towards Visakha was boundless. Henceforth he considered her to be his mother deserving all the honours due to a mother. From this time onward she was called Migarmata.
Such was the abiding faith of Visakha.
§ 3. The Devotion of Mallika
- Once while the Lord was staying at Shravasti in Jeta’s grove the darling son of a certain house VI