History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c13.s1.21

c13.s1.21

Of Pūraṇa’s birth and origin Buddhaghosa gives a fanciful story,⁵ bearing the same stamp as that provided by him to account for Makkhali Gosāla’s initiation into asceticism.⁶ He was born, says Buddhaghosa, as a slave, the hundredth in the household of his master; from the fact that he made up the total of one hundred slaves he was given the name Pūraṇa, "the Completion."⁷ His birth was considered auspicious, and he was treated well and never scolded. Despite this he ran away from his master. In his flight his garments were stolen by thieves. Pūraṇa had not the sense to cover himself with leaves or grass, and entered a certain village as naked as on the day of his birth (*jāta-rūpeṇ’ eva*). The villagers thought that he was a holy man, and gave him liberal alms. Pūraṇa was so impressed by the ease with which he gained a living in the state of nudity that even when offered a garment he would not put it on. Gradually his reputation grew and he gained a following of five hundred disciples.