________________
PREVIOUS BIRTHS
15
various incarnations, animal, human, et cetera; and one time he attained human birth and acquired good karma.
Incarnation as Priyamitra (184-216)
WAR
Then he descended into the womb of Dhāriņi, wife of King Dhanañjaya, in the city Mūkā in the West Videhas. At the proper time she bore a son with full marks, whose magnificence as a cakradhara was indicated by fourteen great dreams. His parents named him Priyamitra and he grew up gradually with his parents wishes. Then king Dhananjaya, disgusted with worldly existence, installed his son, Priyamitra, on the throne and took the vow. The fourteen great jewels of King Priyamitra, who protected the country like a wife, appeared gradually. in termen Following the cakra, he set out to conquer the province with six divisions. He went to the east and stopped at Māgadhatīrtha. Accompanied by the fourfold army, he made a three-day fast. At the end of the fourth day, he got into a chariot, went a short distance, and took his bow. The king shot an arrow, marked with his name, like an eagle, in the direction of the Prince of Māgadhatirtha. The arrow crossed twelve yojanas in the air and fell in front of the god of Māgadha like a portentous thunderbolt.
“By whom wishing to die was this arrow shot?” Reflecting thus, the Lord of Magadha jumped up angrily and picked up the arrow. When he had seen the row of letters of the cakrin's name, he was instantly appeased and went to Priyamitra, taking presents. Saying, "I accept your commands,” standing in the air, he, diplomatic, paid homage to the king with many presents. After he had entertained him and dismissed him, the cakrin returned, broke his fast, and held an eight-day festival in honor of the god of Māgadha. Then he went to the south, like the sun in Cancer.
As before, the king subdued the god Varadāman. The
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
