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Nirayaavalika-Upang-8- Chapter-1
not King Kunik who is truly enjoying the pleasures and joys of the royal wealth. Therefore, if we do not own that Sechanak elephant all this royal grandeur and large state we have is worthless. So I should convey this to King Kunik." With these thoughts Queen Padmavati came to King Kunik and greeted him by touching her forehead with joined palms and hails of victory. She then said—"My lord! Your younger brother, prince Vehalla, enjoys life indulging in a variety of playful activities with Sechanak elephant. Therefore, of what use and worth is all this royal grandeur and large state if we do not own that Sechanak elephant?"
King Kunik remained silent and gave no heed, importance or attention to what Queen Padmavati said. He acted as if he did not listen to it. Then Queen Padmavati started nagging the king repeating her statement timely and untimely. On being pressurized and nagged by Queen Padmavati, King Kunik one day called prince Vehalla and asked him to return Sechanak elephant and the eighteen string necklace.
Prince Vehalla responded—"My lord ! King Shrenik had given me Sechanak elephant and the eighteen string necklace during his life time. If you want to take these please give me half of your kingdom and state. Then only I will give you Sechanak elephant and the eighteen string necklace.
King Kunik did not accept prince Vehalla's demand. Attaching no importance to it he time and again put forth his demand for Sechanak Y elephant and the eighteen string necklace.
On this repeated demand for Sechanak elephant and the eighteen stringnecklace, prince Vehalla thought—"The king wants to forcibly dispossess me of these two things. Therefore, before King Kunik confiscates Sechanak elephant and the eighteen string necklace I should leave Champa city with my family, household things, Sechanak elephant and the eighteen string necklace and elope to Vaishali city to take refuge with grandfather Chetak."
With these thoughts prince Vehalla waited looking for information about King Kunik's inner secrets, lapses in security and an opportunity to elope.
One day when prince Vihalla knew of King Kunik's absence, he took the opportunity and stealthily left Champa city with his family, household things, Sechanak elephant and the eighteen string necklace. He came to Vaishali city, took refuge with his maternal grandfather Chetak and settled there.
When King Kunik got the news that prince Vehalla with his family, household things, Sechanak elephant and the eighteen string necklace was living with his maternal grandfather Chetak, he thought—"I should send an emissary to bring back Sechanak elephant and the eighteen string necklace." With this idea he called an emissary and instructed—"Beloved of gods I Go to Vaishali city and after greeting King Chetak with hails of victory convey this message -My lord ! King Kunik humbly submits that prince Vehalla has gone there with Sechanak elephant and the eighteen string necklace without informing King Kunik. Therefore, my lord ! please oblige King Kunik by returning Sechanak elephant and the eighteen string necklace. Also, please send prince Vehalla back.'"
The emissary accepted King Kunik's order joining his palms and returned to his residence. From there, like Chitta charioteer (this refers to the elaborate preparations made by Chitta charioteer before leaving for Shravasti as mentioned in Rayapaseniya Sutra), he left after breakfast and taking short breaks on the way for rest, he arrived in Vaishali. In Vaishali he came to King Chetak's palace, stopped his chariot at the outer assembly and alighted.
Aagam - 19 - Nirayaavalika
Compiled by - Deepratnasagar
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