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CHAPTER EIGHT
was able to capture him. Then Mahāpadma, angry, said to the minister Namuci, “Do you not know any means of any kind of capturing Sinhabala ?” He replied, “How shall I utter the words, 'I know,' Your Majesty? The reproach, 'He shouts defiance at home,' is easily gained by those boasting at home. After I have employed a device, I shall show it to the master by results alone. Even the learned are timid about explaining their plans."
Immediately instructed by Mahāpadma with delighted heart, he went to the fortress (of Sinhabala), unstumbling like the wind. By a clever plan he broke into the fortress, captured Sinhabala, like a lion a deer, and went to Mahāpadma. Filled with joy, Mahāpadma said, ."Choose a boon," and the minister Namuci said, “I shall take a boon at the proper time.” His object accomplished, Mahāpadma looked after his duties as heir-apparent with Namuci as minister very well.
Mahāpadma's adventures in voluntary. exile (49–116)
Then a chariot for the Arhat's statue was made by Jvālā, Mahāpadma's mother, like a karnīratha,78 for crossing the ocean of births. The mother of a co-wife, a wrong-believer, named Lakşmi, had made a chariot for Brahmā, wishing to do something in opposition to her. Lakşmi asked the king, "Let Brahma's chariot go through the city first and then the Arhat's chariot.” Jvālā said to the king, "If the Jain chariot does not make the first procession in the city, then I shall fast." Beset by doubts, the king stopped the procession of both chariots. What other course was there for an impartial person? Then, much troubled by his mother's grief, Mahāpadma left Hastināpura at night while the people were asleep. As he went along at random, his face upturned, he came to a large forest and, wandering in it, he saw a hermitage. Being hospitably entertained by the ascetics who enjoyed
78 49. Abhi. 3. 417, a kind of litter.
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