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The Tale of Brahmadatt Chakra
The second light of Yoga Shastra, verse 27: It seems strange, like watering an mango grove on one hand and performing Pitru Tarpan on the other. Or, let's do this, the Kumar's marriage should be arranged and a Lakshagriha should be prepared for this under the pretext of a residence, which should not have any secret entrances or exits. After the marriage, the prince should be taken to the Lakshagriha with his wife. At night, when they both fall asleep, set it on fire; so that they will die inside. Neither will we be defamed nor will there be any danger for us again.' Thus, both of them conspired secretly. The very next day, the prince's engagement was fixed with the daughter of King Pushpachul and preparations for the marriage began in full swing.
Meanwhile, Dhanumantri, knowing the evil intentions of the two, pleaded with Dirghraja with folded hands, 'Rajan! My son Vardhanu has become proficient in all arts and is skilled in ethics. Therefore, he, like a young bull, is capable of lifting your chariot-wheel of command. I, like an old bull, am unable to go anywhere or bear the burden of royal orders. If you permit, I will go to a peaceful place and perform Dharma-anushthan in my last days.' Hearing this, Dirghraja felt apprehensive that this magician might go elsewhere and do something wrong; or he might expose us.' Dirghraja said to Dhanumantri in deceitful words, 'Aji! Buddhiniधान Pradhanmantriji! Just as the night does not shine without the moon; similarly, this kingdom does not shine without you. Therefore, do not go anywhere else. Build a Dānasālā here and do your Dharma. What is the need to go far? Just as a garden is adorned with beautiful trees, so will this kingdom be adorned by you.' Upon this, the wise Dhanumantri built a holy Dānamṇḍapa, like a great umbrella of Dharma, on the banks of the Bhagirathi river. He built a Dānasālā there and started an uninterrupted flow of charity like the flow of the Ganga. In this, food, water, etc. were given to the travelers. Along with this, Dhanumantri had a two-kos long tunnel dug from the Dānasālā to the newly built Lakshagriha by men who were made trustworthy through charity, respect and kindness. On the other hand, he informed Pushpachul of the entire conspiracy taking place through Dirgh by a secret letter, like water for watering the Maitreevriksha. The wise Pushpachul, knowing this to be true, instead of sending his daughter, sent a dasi-putra, like a heron, adorned with gem-studded ornaments, in her place. That dasi-putra entered the city as the daughter of Pushpachul. It is true, simple people mistake brass for gold. The sky echoed with auspicious sweet songs and instruments. The shehnais played. Brahmadatt's marriage with that girl took place with great pomp and joy. After sending off all other families, Chulani sent the Kumar to the Lakshagriha with the new bride as soon as night began. The new bride, the Kumar and Vardhanu, like his shadow, came there along with the other families. Brahmadatt Kumar spent half the night talking with the minister's son. 'Where is sleep in the eyes of the Mahatmas at such a time?' Chulani ordered the trusted servants to set fire to the Lakshagriha. The servants set fire to the palace made of lac. As soon as the fire caught, the Lakshagriha was engulfed in flames in a matter of moments. Gradually, its black smoke spread throughout the sky, as if the infamy of Chulani's long-standing evil deeds was spreading. Today, the seven-tongued hungry fire became an all-devouring one with millions of tongues with its blazing flames. When Brahmadatt asked the minister's son, 'What is this?' in reply, he revealed the entire story of Chulani's wicked deeds. And finally, telling him how to escape, he said, 'Like rescuing a beautiful woman from the trunk of an elephant, a tunnel has been built by my father to get you out of here to the Dānasālā. Therefore, kick this door hard and open it, and enter the tunnel just as a yogi enters a hole with yogic strength.' As soon as the Kumar kicked the door, which was like a clay-made Samputa-vadya-yantra, the door of the tunnel rattled and opened. Brahmadatt Kumar, along with his friend, escaped through the tunnel, just as a thread comes out of a hole in a gem. As soon as they crossed the tunnel, two well-equipped horses, saddled by Dhanumantri, were standing ready outside. The prince
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