Note 4 — IX. MAHĀKĀŚYAPA AND BHADRĀ.1

At that time there lived in Rāajagṛiha the Nirgrantha Pūraṇa, who asserted that he knew all that is unknown, and who was surrounded by many Nirgranthas4 and Nirgrantha students. To him Bhadrā betook herself and said, “Reverend sir, I wish to be received by you into the clerical order.” He received her, and she entered among the Nirgranthas. When the Nirgranthas saw Bhadrā’s exquisite beauty, they said to each other, “All we who have entered the clerical order have done so by reason of the five powers of divine love. Now Kapila’s daughter Bhadrā looks like unto a divine being, but we know not whether she has acquired the powers of divine love or not. So we desire to enjoy the company of Kapila’s daughter Bhadrā.” Betaking themselves to the Nirgrantha Pūraṇa, they explained the whole matter to him, and asked for Kapila’s daughter Bhadrā. As a favour to his pupils he granted her to them. Thereupon the five hundred Nirgranthas, in consequence of former actions, enjoyed her company every day. Disquieted, she consulted Pūraṇa. He said, “Whom the lot betokens, with him have to do.”