Agam 11 Ang 11 Vipak Sutra English Translation

Author(s): Dipratnasagar, Deepratnasagar
Publisher: Deepratnasagar

Page 27

VipakShrut-Ang-11- ShrutSkandh-1, Chapter-3
Purimtal city has resolved to attack this hideout and capture me alive. Therefore, it would be to our benefit to stop that police chief on the way before he reaches Shalatavi hideout." 500 bandits accepted bandit-chief Abhagnasen's order by uttering- "Yes! We should do that."
After that, bandit-chief Abhagnasen arranged for abundant ashan, paan, and khadya, svadya (staple food, liquids, general food, and savory food). All five hundred bandits bathed and performed auspicious rituals including putting marks on their foreheads for the success of their mission. After that they started enjoying ample food and wines as much as they liked.
After meals they went to an allotted spot and washed and wiped their mouths clean of any bits and pieces of food. After cleansing they performed the ritual of Ardracharm arohan (riding over wet leather). Then they tightly strapped iron armours with sharp projections, equipped themselves with hand-wielding and launchable weapons and shields tied to their hands. Then filling the sky with tremendous roar and loud war cry, they left the Shalatavi hideout around noon. Carrying large quantities of food, they stopped at a fortified area in the dense jungle and awaited the arrival of the police chief.
(1)
Commentary-Ardracharm arohan (riding over wet leather)-What is the purport of this term? "There are three different popularly accepted beliefs in this contextAccording to Acharya Shri Abhayadev Suri this Ardracharm arohan (riding over wet leather) was an auspicious ritual of bandits and thieves. Before launching their mission of waylaying the police chief, Abhagnasen and members of his gang performed this auspicious ritual with the wish of removing all possible hurdles.
(2) The second and traditional belief is that the ritual of riding over wet leather signifies and symbolizes the resolve of embracing death instead of retreating in face of any favourable or unfavourable situation, no matter how tough or complex it is. This ritual riding over wet leather conveys the bond of the unwavering resolve- We will accomplish our mission no matter what it takes, otherwise we will abandon this body.'
(3) The third belief is that as wet leather expands, likewise one who rides over it achieves the enhancement of his wealth and power. With this wish of enhancing his wealth and power bandit-chief Abhagnasen and his five hundred companions performed the ritual.
Meaning- Then that police chief came where bandit-chief Abhagnasen was waiting and engaged him in a battle. But soon bandit-chief Abhagnasen defeated the police chief, in other words the army lead by the police chief was trounced, its warriors were killed and its flag was destroyed. The police chief was subdued, wounded and beaten up and his company was made to run helter-skelter.
On being wounded and made to retreat by bandit-chief Abhagnasen, that police chief lost his confidence (akaam), he became physically weak (abal), he lost his courage (avirya), his pride that he was brave shattered and he was drained of the energy of even lifting his weapons. Thinking that it was impossible to defeat the bandit-chief, he returned to king Mahabal in Purimtal City and joining his palms submitted humbly
"O Lord! Bandit-chief Abhagnasen camps in a dense forest in a difficult terrain with complex fortification and abundance of food and water. Therefore, he cannot be captured alive by an army of horse riders or elephant riders or charioteers or foot soldiers, not even by all these four combined."
Aagam - 11 - Vipak-Shrut
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Compiled by - Deepratnasagar