Treasury of Jain Tales

SR No.: 006762
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre
Publication Year: 1994
Total Pages: 468
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

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by the general and they all retreated to the town and reported to the king. The king then realised that this type of confrontation was not easy and advisable. Therefore, the best strategy was to create confidence by means of conciliation and win Abhagnasena over through friendly gestures and costly gifts. The king therefore selected his trustworthy advisers and sent them with plenty of wealth, gold, jewels and other valuable articles to Abhagnasena. When the king thought that he had created enough of confidence, he decided to invite Abhagnasena to his capital for a festival that would last ten nights.
Anticipating Abhagnasena's acceptance of the invitation, the king Mahābala prepared big and lofty palaces with beautiful decorations for the residence of the honoured guests. He also kept plenty of food ready for their pleasure in addition to flowers, perfumes, garlands, clothes and ornaments. The invitation was properly given to Abhagnasena and it was accepted. The king was happy to receive his guest and he extended all hospitality that the royal guests usually are entitled to. The king instructed his servants to keep all food and drinks ready. One night he saw that Abhagnasena and his companions were all fast asleep after a heavy dinner and plenty of drinks. The king ordered all the gates of the city to be closed and a strict watch kept on the roads. He instructed some of the soldiers, to capture Abhagnasena alive and produce him before himself. The king executed Abhagnasena and his five hundred companions in the manner Gautama had seen. Mahăvira concluded that that was the way Abhagnasena paid for his sins.
To Gautama's question about where Abhagnasena would go after his death, Mahävira said that he along with his accomplices would be first born as hell-beings and when they would be sent on the earth, that would be as pigs and after they have been hunted, Abhagnasena would be born in the family of merchants in the city of Vārānasi, where through a monk he would finally achieve salvation.