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52
Life and Stories of Pārçvanātha
to its seventh 18 story, was greeted by sweet sounds from çāla-wood statutes which descended from their postaments and conducted him to a golden throne.19 The statues offered to bathe him, whereupon he requested them to fetch Matisāgara. Both were then bathed and feasted. Bhima fell into a sleep, and heard in his dream the voice of a god who told him that he was pleased with his prowess, and, therefore, bade him choose a gift. Bhima asked him what city that was, and why it was devoid of life (346).
The god told: This is the city of Hemapura; its king was Hemaratha, who had a Purohita, named Caņda, hated of all men. The king also was cruel by nature, and, on mere suspicion, inflicted severe punishment. An enemy of Caņda, spread a report that he was intimate with a low-born woman 20 (mātañgi). The king consulted an ordeal, and, tho he did not determine the truth, had Canda wrapped in hemp and boiled in oil. Canda had no chance before he died to wear away his sins, and therefore, was reborn as a Rākşasa, named Sarvagila (" Alldevourer '). He remembered the hostilities of his former birth, came to that city, hid away all its people, and, having assumed the shape of a lion, carried off King Hemaratha. He had been greatly surprised when Bhīma, in heroic pity, had released Hemaratha, but, nevertheless had arranged for Bhima's entertainment, and had again brought out the people of the city. No sooner had he said this than all the people put in their appearence (315355).
Then Bhima's teacher (v. 251) arrived by the road of heaven. All four, namely Bhima, Matisāgara, the Rāk.
" See note 8, on p. 46. " See additional note 14, on p. 192. » See additional note 15, on p. 195.
