Life in Ancient India as Depicted in Jain Canons

SR No.: 011077
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jagdishchandra Jain
Publisher: New Book Company
Publication Year: 1947
Total Pages: 429
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 16 MB

Page 406

398
UDAYANA AND PAJJOYA
It is said that when Sayaniya died of dysentery, Udayana was very young and so the responsibility of governing the kingdom fell on the shoulders of queen Migavati. At this time king Pajjoya repeated his old demand140 and asked Migavati to marry him But the latter tactfully requested him to permit her to defer her decision till her son grew old enough to govern the kingdom independently, and suggested to Pajjoya to make the city stronger in the meantime by means of fortification and storing grains, etc. Pajjova returned to Ujjeni In course of time, Lord Mahavira reached Kosambi and Migavati went to pay reverence to the Teacher She wanted to join his order and so she asked Pajjoya for permission which the latter could not refuse in the presence of an assembly where Mahavia also was present. Migavati entrusted Udayana to the care of Pajjoya and along with eight queens of Pajjoya, namely, Angāravati, etc joined the ascetic order under Mahavira.
It is said that when Abhaya was residing in the court of Pajjoya as a minister, the king's elephant Nalagui got loose and no one could approach him Abhaya suggested the name of Udayana of Kosambi who was a very good musician, and said that he could bring the elephant under control by his music Knowing that Udayana was fond of elephants, Pajjoya sent a mechanical clephant, to a forest near Kosambi carrying men inside. As soon as Udayana saw this elephant, he began to sing, and was caught hold of by the king's soldiers Udayana was brought to Ujjeni where he was asked by Pajjoya to teach music to his daughter, Vasavadattā 14a But Udavana was warned not to look at her as she was one-eyed, and would be ashamed if he did so. Vasavadatta also was told that her teacher was a leper and therefore would teach her from behind the curtain. Vasavadatta was attracted by her teacher's voice and looked for an opportunity to have a look at him. One day, she sang badly, when the teacher exclaimed angrily "Be hanged, one-eyed person She retorted "You do not know yourself, oh leper" He knew that she was no more blind than he was a leper He drew away the curtain and both fell in love with each other. One day Nalagiri got loose and Udayana was asked to tame it Udayana proposed that he and the princess would sing 1iding on the sheelephant, Bhadravati.143 The elephant was caught, but Udayana and Vasavadatta eloped
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140 141 149
LIFE IN ANCIENT INDIA
149
See Pajjoya Aza. cup 91 f
Vasavadatta was born of Angar avati (Ava Cu II, p 161). It is also coroborated by Pratinayaugandharayana of Bhasa and the hathasarutsägara; Pradyota, Udayana and Srenika-A Jain legend by Gune, A B OI, 1920-21
In Buddhist literature besides the she-elephant Bharldavatika, and Kaka, a slave, Pajjoya is said to have had three other fleet-footed conveyances two mares, Celakanni and Muñjakes and an elephant Nalagiri About the she-elephant Baddavati, it is said that she could travel fifteen leagues in a day. Udena made use of her in h's elopment with Väsuladatta At first the king paid her great honour, but when she grew old she was neglected, Dhammapada A. 1.p. 196 f.