Shraman Mahavira

SR No.: 011093
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Dineshchandra Sharma
Publisher: Mitra Parishad Calcutta
Publication Year: 1976
Total Pages: 351
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 13 MB

Page 112

24
SHRAMAN MAHAVIR
Kakmukh, the army chief of Shatanık, had once been rejected as a match for Bharini. The success of Dadhiwahan added fuel to the fire He still harboured love for the princess Dharını The expansionistic designs of Shatanık and the ire of Kakmukh combined to wreak vengeance on their common foe The forces of Vatsa under the command of Kakmukh invaded Champa from land and sea simultaneously. They bamboozled the forces of Champa, who ill-prepared for this blitzcreig The king had been away. The army had been taken by surprize And still they resisted to the best of their might But how long could the well-equipped army of Vatsa be fought?
The town-gates of the capital were lying wide open to the enemy The vengeful wrath of Kakmukh was still burning. He allowed his army to plunder and loot The soldiers ravaged the town
No palace or house escaped depredation at their hands They fell upon the royal palace also Kakmukh kidnapped queen Dharını and princess Vasumati
The soldiers were returning to their camps bragging of their bestial valour Such is the miserable chronicle of mankind that hawks of devastation ever build their barbarous palaces on another's ruin
How did the citizens of Champa mert this pillage? What had the poor folk done to Shatanık or his army? The sole guilt of the vanquished was that they did not happen to be victors They had suffered a terrible defeat in the battle-field. Weakness is deemed to be the greatest sin The innocent poor has to see the dock Dadhiwahan was no match to Shatanik and could have been wiped off in no time If he had ventured to fight with the enemy the ordeal of his people might have been manifold He had hoped that by resorting to abdication he would redeem his subjects' lot He translated his resolve into action But when has puffed up vanity of a victor refrained from a gruesome display of its brute strength ?