Agam 19 Upang 08 Niryavalika Sutra English Translation

Author(s): Dipratnasagar, Deepratnasagar
Publisher: Deepratnasagar

Page 19

Nirayaavalika-Upang-8- Chapter 1
Surrounded by fifty seven thousand elephants, fifty seven thousand chariots, fifty seven thousand horses and five hundred seventy million soldiers and with all his opulence, King Chetak marched with drum beats and sounds of a variety of musical instruments. Resting at suitable places, taking his breakfast and meals at proper time, camping after covering limited stretches, he passed through the Videh state and reached the state border. There he established forward cantonment and waited for King Kunik in a state of full alert.
On the other side King Kunik with all his opulence and glory made a tumultuous arrival in the border area and camped one Yojan away from King Chetak's camp.
After that both the kings got the battle field prepared (by clearing bushes and other obstacles) -and performed auspicious rites for their respective victory.
Now King Kunik organized his army of thirty three thousand elephants... and so on up to... three hundred thirty million soldiers in eagle shaped battle formation (garuda vyuha). He prepared for the Rath-musal battle in the eagle formation
On the other side King Chetak organized his army of fifty seven thousand elephants... and so on up to... five hundred seventy million soldiers in cart shaped battle formation (shakat vyuha). He prepared for Rath-musal battle in cart formation.
Thus getting ready for war wearing armours (etc.), carrying countering weapons (aayudh) and attacking weapons (praharan), tying shields on hands, drawing swords from sheaths, and drawing arrows from quivers; the two armies, with all their prowess accompanied by drum beats and sounds of a variety of musical instruments, marched and engaged. Launching arrows, waving left hands, emitting tumultuous sound from bells tied to thighs, blowing trumpets, shouting loud challenges like roar of a sea, horse riders started fighting with horse riders, elephant riders with elephant riders, charioteers with charioteers and foot soldiers with foot soldiers.
Enthused to follow the command and control of their respective kings, the two armies started wreaking unending slaughter, killing, repression, fear and terror. The dismembered and falling heads were bobbing and swinging like things caught in a whirlwind. The ground was turning slimy with blood. The warriors thus fought a fierce battle.
Kaal Kumar, along with three thousand elephants... and so on up to... thirty million foot soldiers in. eagle formation, supporting King Kunik and forming the eleventh part of his army, fought in the Rath-musal battle against King Chetak... and so on up to... In just one shot Kaal Kumar fell on the ground like a broken peak of a hill, as told by Bhagavan Mahavir to Queen Kaali, and died on the spot.
(Narrating these details Bhagavan Mahavir added-) Therefore, Gautam ! As Kaal Kumar embraced his death due to intense sinful activities and evil deeds, he has taken birth in the Hemabh Narak (name of a specific area in the infernal world) of the Pankaprabha Prithvi (the fourth hell) as a nairayik (infernal being).
Commentary- Garuda Vyuha (eagle formation)- This aphorism mentions garuda vyuha and shakat vyuha (cart formation). Garuda Vyuha (eagle formation) means the arrangement of army where the spearhead is massive like an eagle. This frightens the opposing army facilitating an effective initial attack.
Shakat vyuha (cart formation) means an arrangement where the spearhead is formed predominantly by chariots (shakat), middle portion has lesser density of chariots and the rear, once again, has higher density of chariots.
Kunik arranged his army in the eagle formation and Chetak in cart formation.
Aagam - 19 - Nirayaavalika
Compiled by - Deepratnasagar
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