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ten. If I were to count five, then too I would not be able to drop Saraha.
BEFORE WE ENTER into these Songs of Saraha, a few things about Saraha's life: Saraha was born in Vidarbha; Vidarbha is part of Maharashtra, very close to Poona. He was born when King Mahapala was the ruler. He was the son of a very learned Brahmin who was in the court of King Mahapala. The father was in the court so the young man was also in the court. He had four other brothers; they were all great scholars, and he was the youngest and the most intelligent of them all. His fame was spreading all over the country, by and by, and the king was almost enchanted by his superb intelligence.
The four brothers were also very great scholars, but nothing to be compared with Saraha. As they became mature, the four got married. The king was willing to give his own daughter to Saraha, but Saraha wanted to renounce all -- Saraha wanted to become a sannyasin. The king was hurt; he tried to persuade Saraha -- he was so beautiful and he was so intelligent and he was such a handsome young man. His fame was spreading all over the country, and because of him Mahapala's court was becoming famous. The king was very much worried, and he didn't want this young man to become a sannyasin. He wanted to protect him, he wanted to give him all comfort possible -- he was ready to do anything for him. But Saraha persisted and the permission had to be given -- he became a sannyasin, he became a disciple of Sri Kirti.
Sri Kirti is in the direct line of Buddha -- Gautam Buddha, then his son Rahul Bhadra, and then comes Sri Kirti. There are just two Masters between Saraha and Buddha; he is not very far away from Buddha. The tree must have been still very, very green; the vibe must have been still very, very alive. Buddha had just left. The climate must have been full of his fragrance.
The king was shocked, because Saraha was a Brahmin. If he wanted to become a sannyasin he should have become a Hindu sannyasin, but he chose a Buddhist Master. Saraha's family was also very much worried. In fact, they all became enemies... this was not right. And then things became even worse -- we will
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