________________
CCLXXXVIII
Kavyanusasana
on dayà - compassion especially towards animals, that mainly mattered; and we find Kumārapāla promulgating Amári and annuling the law of confiscating the mặtavitta (- the wealth of a man who died without heir ).
The effect of Kumāra pāla's efforts to reform ethically the life of the people did not become permanent; but in some respects they must have deeply affected the consciousness of the people in Gujarat. This can be inferred from the fact that even to this day in Gujarat there is a natural aversion to killing animals, eating flesh and drinking liquors at least in higher society and that in all grades of Hindus it is regarded as a religious and meritorious act to give up these things.
We saw, while discussing Kumārapāla's reign that if the account of the Prabandhakosa was to be believed, Hemachandra was consulted by Kumārapāla even in important political matters such as succession to the throne. In other matters, especially those pertaining to public reforms according to his preachings, his advice also must have been sought. In the colophon of the Ț. $. Salakā-purusha-charita which was one of his later works, Hemachandra informs his readers as follows on this point:
“The Chālukya King Kumārapăla-the conqueror of Chedi, Daşārņa, Mālava, Kuru, Sindhu and other inaccessible countries through the power of his own arms,-a veritable lion,-a descendent of Şrī Mūlarāja, -properly disciplined, and a great Ārhata ( devotee of Arhat ), once bowed to him ( Achārya Hemachandra ) and spoke “Oh Lord ! receiving orders from you who render service without any expectation, I stopped throughout the earth all things that lead to hell-such
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
