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Elaboration-In scriptures like Aupapatik and Niryavlika Sutras the cause of this war is detailed as follows-Kunik was the king of Champa city. He had two younger brothers named Halla and Vehalla. When King Shrenik was alive he had given the majestic elephant Sechanak and an eighteen string necklace to these two brothers. They used to ride Sechanak elephant to the banks of river Ganges and entertain themselves. When Queen Padmavati, Kunik's consort, came to know of the enjoyments of the brothers, she was extremely jealous. She beseeched King Kunik to take Sechanak elephant from princes Halla and Vihalla. When Kunik demanded Sechanak from Halla and Vihalla they responded by saying-"If you want the elephant please give us our share of the kingdom." Not heeding to their legitimate demand, Kunik repeatedly asked for the elephant. At this the two brothers, afraid of Kunik, fled with their families and the elephant to Vaishali and took refuge with their maternal grandfather King Chetak. Kunik sent a message to Chetak asking him to hand over Halla and Vihalla. But Chetak refused to do so. Kunik sent another message that Chetak should either return the two princes or be prepared for a war. Chetak tried to convince Kunik about his just decision but Kunik was not prepared even to listen. He straightway launched an attack. This was the cause of Mahashilakantak battle.
When Chetak realized that Kunik will not stop short of a war, he too called chiefs of eighteen republics with their armies in order to lawfully protect the refugees. They all joined Chetak with their armies. The two armies came face to face in the battle ground and a terrible war commenced. Chetak had taken a vow that he would launch only one arrow a day. And that devastating arrow never missed the target. On the first day the commander of Kunik's army was his brother prince Kaal. He was killed by that one arrow of Chetak and his army retreated. This way Chetak killed Kunik's ten brothers in ten days. Eleventh day was for the king himself. Kunik thought-"Like all my brothers I will also not be able to hold Chetak. He will kill me with his single unstoppable arrow." So he announced cease-fire for three days. In order to win the war he commenced a three day fast and evoked divine help. He sought help of two friendly gods from his past birth and Shakrendra and Chamarendra appeared before him. Shakrendra said to Kunik-"Chetak is a devout Jain shravak, so I will not kill him. However, I will defend you for sure." Accordingly Shakrendra created an impenetrable
भगवती सूत्र ( २ )
Bhagavati Sutra (2)
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