________________
(XXX) they were seated in an assembly, to hear the life-stories of great and good men being narrated by the learned '(804).
The reasons why they made their request to him, were, according to them, the following:(A) Our King, with his nick-name 'Vigraha-tunga," is an emanation of Hari or Murāri (Visnu), who, at the time of the Universal Deluge, became the safe resort of the three worlds (805–814). . (B) This King,"in his incarnation as Kțsna, used to be carried respectfully by Garuda, the son of Vinatā, who acquired prominent glory for having shaken off multitudes of poisonous cobras” (817-826). (C) When dreadful portents, such as an eclipse of the moon and the sun, neighing of horses etc. occurred, this King had his eye-corners twitching in frowns at that time" (827-832). (D) (Like Lord Krsna), he enjoyed “the celebration of Madanotsava in the company of a band of his beloveds, indulging in novel forms of love-sports in pleasure-houses (panai-bhavana)” (837) and even the captive women of his enemies looked up to this King with impetuous longing, conjuring the image of the God of Love in their agonies of bereavement” (843).
For all these reasons," these people (assembled here) wish to be told by you, leaving no detail, (the narrative of) how the Magadha King was put an end to by our lofty monarch " (844). The Poet's reply:
Then, smiling a little, he said, “In my effort to praise our Master, my speech just wriggles and rolls round in my throat, having been choked by the distressing delight
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
