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VIMALANĀTHACARITRA
enemy who has arisen, together with his father and brother."
Then one minister said: "They did this from ignorance. You have been served for a long time by King Rudra. Do not be angry. I think this will not be approved by King Rudra. He is desirous of gaining your favor as master. 'Who would fall into the first anger of the master or into the stream of a river?' so King Rudra now hesitates from fear. Be gracious, Your Majesty. Instruct me. Bestow fearlessness on him. I shall bring an extraordinary gift from him."
IOI
Meraka agreed and he went quickly to Dvārakā and spoke to Rudra in company with Bhadra and Svayambhu: "What is this that your sons have done through ignorance, O king? Surely even the master's dog is not killed with shame to his face.144 So hand over everything. There will be no fault of yours. Ignorance alone will hide the fault of your sons."
Then Svayambhu said: "You, noble-minded, have spoken well to my father from devotion to your master, because of your noble nature. Consider resolutely, 'How much has been seized from him?' We shall seize the whole earth. For this earth is to be enjoyed by heroes. Who will endure in battle the strength of arm of the noble Balabhadra and myself like that of Krtanta angered? After killing him alone, I shall enjoy half of Bharata myself. What is the use of many other beaten kings like ants? He took half of Bharata by strength of arm, not by inheritance. Let it be mine by that law. There are stronger than the strong."
The minister, astonished, terrified, and embarrassed by this speech, went quickly to Meraka and related the facts. Angered like a rutting elephant by his speech hard to hear, Meraka set out, shaking the earth with his masses of soldiers. Now Svayambhu, accompanied by Rudra
144 126. I.e., he would 'lose face."
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