Kirti Kaumudi tatha Sukrut Sankirtan

SR No.: 002505
Original Sutra Author: Someshwar Mahakavi, Arisinh Thakkur Kavi
Publisher: Singhi Jain Shastra Shiksha Pith Mumbai
Publication Year: 1961
Total Pages: 168
Language: Sanskrit
Classification: Book_Devnagari & Literature
File Size: 10 MB

Page 64

to the first edition of ĶIRTIKAUMUDI
IV
Thus the poet leaves off his narration while the minister was at the highest point of his glory. It appears from other narrations that the prosperity of this minister declined towards the end of his life: During the life of Viradhavala his influence was undiminished. Viradhavala had two sons Virama and Visala. Virama was not a well-behaved prince, and therefore this minister wished that the crown should descend to Visala; and notwithstanding some hesitation on the part of the old king, Vastupala used his influence in helping Visala to the throne. According to the statement of one of the annalists, Vastupala was so opposed to the succession of Virama, and Viradhavala so oscillating that when one night Vastupala succeeded in obtaining from him a promise in favour of Visala, who was then at Dholka, he brought him from there to Paṭṭna, before morning, on a fast camel, and having got him coronated early in the morning, administered to the old king a cup as a medicine, which terminated him life, and thus put the matter of succession beyond question. Another narration says that Visala was sent for after Viradhavala had died, and till he came Vastupala kept Virama at a distance by force of arms. Virama went for help to Jabalipura where his father-in-law ruled; but, at the instance of Vastupala, was killed there. The narration says that Virama was regarded with such fear and hatred by the minister, because he (Virama) was an implacable enemy of the Jainas, and favoured the Nagara party at the court. If such was the case, Vastupala would seem to have chosen only the less of two evils. For after the succession of Visala, too, Vastupala's influence visibly declined; another minister, a Nagar Brahman, named Nagada, was appointed and Vastupala, who, according to a stipulation which he had made when he accepted the ministership, was allowed to keep all the property which he possessed when he entered on his duties, retired into privacy. One of the Prabandhas says that it was Somesvara, the author of Kirtikaumudi who saved Vastupala from being tried by an ordeal for peculation. While Simha, a maternal uncle of Visaladeva, was passing on horseback by a Jain monastery, a servant threw down, from one of the upper floors of the building a quantity of sweepings which fell upon the head of Simha. Dismounting from his horce and entering into the building, he struck the servant on his back with his long whip and went home. When the minister heard of this, he called together his men, and asked if there was any among them who would avenge the wrong. One Bhuvanapala stepped forward, and promised to do so even at the cost of his life. The minister told him to cut off the right hand of Simha and bring, it to him. The daring Rajput undertook to do it, and going near Simha, under the pretence of delivering a message from Vastupala, cut off his hand and carried it to Vastupala, who ordered the same to hung up at the top of his house. The minister foreseeing trouble, put his house in a state of defence, and called upon those to withdraw who wished to save their lives. None left the house. Simha who belonged to the Jeṭhuya family, called all his relatives and friends together, and set out to wreak vegeance upon Vastupala. When on their way the party came to the palace, one of the elderly men went to the king and told him what had happened.
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The king thought Vastupala would never do such a thing unless he had sufficient reason, and promised to inquire into the affair himseif. He asked Someśvara
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