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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Udāyana had no alternative but to decide the issue on the battlefield. When fair weather came in summer he led his army against Ujjayini. They had to cross a large desert and there was an acute shortage of water and many of his soldiers died of thirst. Udayana thought of his dear departed wife and she rescued the king's army by creating three ponds of water with bloominglotuses, in front, behind and in the middle of the track. When they neared Ujjayini the king wondered what good would come of the military adventure except the loss of innocent lives. He therefore suggested to Pradyota a duel between themselves. He agreed but lost and was taken a prisoner by Udayana. A brand was made on his forehead, on Udāyana's order that he was 'the husband of a slave girl. However the king treated his prisoner well, he gave him the same food as he ate. On a certain day the servant asked him what he would like to eat. Pradyota wondered why he was so asked on that day alone. He was told that since it was Paryusana the king observed a fast and hence the query. Pradyota replied that he too would then fast. The king then realized that he was not a rogue and in order not to spoil his holy fast he released him and honoured him with a golden turban in order to hide the disgraceful stigma on his forehead. From that time on kings were invested with the turban; before this they were invested with diadem.
Now that the conflict had ended peacefully, the merchants that had accompanied the king's expedition decided to settle down there only and gradually a town called Dasapura came up there.
Udayana who was actively pursuing his rituals of fasting, and keeping vigils once thought that the most desirable thing would be to hear the Law being preached by Mahavira himself.
Blessed indeed are those villages and towns where the monk Vira dwells and preaches. Blessed indeed are those princes and other meri who hear from the lips of Mahāvira the Law that is proclaimed by the kevalins. Thus they embrace the five lesser vows and the seven commandments, the twelvefold religious duty of the lay disciple; thus they become men of bald heads, leave the house and enter upon the houseless state. So if indeed the monk, the revered Mahavira, while continually wandering about should come