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The story of the prince Asadisa. It was told in reference to the Great
Renunciation to show that in former lives also the Bodhisatta had renounced a
royal state (J.ii.86-92).
The latter part of the story is given in the Mahāvastu and is called the
Saraksepana Jātaka (Mtu.ii.82-3).
The story is figured in the Bharhut Stupa (Cunningham, p.70, and Plate
xxvii.13) and in the Sanchi Tope (Fergusson, Tree and Serpent Worship, p.181,
Plate xxxvi).
King Kittisiri of Ceylon wrote a beautiful poem in Sinhalese based on this
Jātaka. Cv. Supplement 101, vs.13.

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