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

Page 64

3. DESTRUCTION OF DVĀRAVATI
Dvaravati the famous city of gold which the gods had built and was the capital of Vasudeva where he and his elder brothers Balarāma and Jarākumāra lived and enjoyed all sorts of pleasures with their beautiful women and friends and relatives.
Once a respectable old sage Aristanemi prophesied that the city would be completely destroyed by a sage Dvaipayana and his rage would also bring about the end of the Yadavas; Vasudeva himself and his brother Balarāma would be the only two survivors of the terrible devastation, but Vasudeva would meet his death shortly afterwards at the hands of his own brother Jarākumāra.
These were terrible words and Jarakumara immediately left the town and disappeared in a remote forest to avoid the cruel destiny. He had always loved and respected his brother Vasudeva.
Dvaipāyana also was equally anxious to avoid being the author of such a terrible destruction and went far out for his usual abode. Aristanemi had also said that the main thing that would spark off trouble was liquor. So the princes of Dvaravati ordered all stocks of liquor to be removed to a remote forest that was full of kadamba trees and concealed them in the caves there. (Soincidentally, liquor came to be known as kädambari). But fright and anxiety still dominated the mind of every one and Vasudeva's parents offered to renounce worldly life and embrace the Jain faith to become monks or nuns. Balarama's charioteer, Siddhārtha also sought his permission to follow suit. Balarama consented and said that if it ever came to that Siddhartha should enlighten him to which the latter agreed and went away.
In the course of time, the liquor matured and spread its peculiar