________________
NandiSootra
In the morning the commanders were surprised not to find their king. Even his horse was not there. When they searched for him they found the hoof prints of the king's horse pointed in the direction of Ujjaini. Disturbed by this unexpected behaviour of their king they broke camp and 'started for Ujjaini.
When the army reached Ujjaini the commanders went to the palace to see the king. At first he refused to meet them. After much persuasion he finally agreed to meet them. Before they could say a word he started reprimanding them for their treachery and accepting bribe. The commander-in-chief of his army replied humbly - "Sir! How could you believe that we could deceive you? For generations we are serving the state. We all love our country. There is no reason to betray you. It appears to be a conspiracy cooked by that crafty prince Abhaya Kumar. He took you into confidence and saved his state cleverly from a war."
This opened the eyes of Chandpradyot. His anger for Abhaya Kumar saw no bounds. He immediately made an announcement that the person who brings Prince Abhaya Kumar of Rajagriha to Ujjaini as a prisoner will be richly rewarded. The fame of Abhaya Kumar's sharp intelligence and cleverness was so wide spread that no one could muster enough courage to accept this challenge. The ministers, commanders, clever merchants, no one was ready to apprehend Abhaya Kumar.
A few days later a courtesan took up the challenge. On the condition that she be given enough cash to cover her expenses. The king agreed at once. She took along a few other women and dressed as Shravikas they all reached Rajagriha.
This group started regularly visiting religious places and attending to discourses of ascetics to impress upon the people that they are very devout shravikas. When they earned the desired reputation the courtesan planned and invited Abhaya Kumar to her place of stay. Considering her to be a co-religionist and a famed shravika, Abhaya Kumar accepted the invitation. The courtesan drugged the food offered to Abhaya Kumar. As soon as Abhaya Kumar ate his food he became unconscious. The courtesan was eagerly waiting for this. Abhaya Kumar was immediately tied up and carried to a chariot. The courtesan brought the victim to Ujjaini.
When Abhaya Kumar was produced as a prisoner before king Chandpradyot his joy saw no bounds. He ridiculed, "Why? Son, you got paid for your deceit. Howcunningly I got you apprehended and brought here."Abhaya Kumar reacted without hesitation, "Uncle, you caught me and brought me here when I was unconscious. Please beware; I will one day take you to Rajagriha on a chariot when you are wide awake and that too torturing you on the way.
Chandpradyot took it to be a joke and did not pay any attention. Abhaya Kumar went to his aunt in the palace and lived happily. A few days later, when all these incidents were forgotten, he searched and found out a man who matched king Chandpradyot in appearance, body size and speech. He promised the man enough money and explained his plan. The man stayed with him. After a couple of days Abhaya Kumar dressed his accomplice as the king, took him in the. Chariot and beating him with a stick went around the streets of Ujjaini, as coached, the man moaned and wailed and shouted - "See, Abhaya Kumar is beating me with a stick, some one; save me, help me!" When the townspeople heard their king calling for "I help, they rushed. Even when they came near the chariot Abhaya Kumar did not stop beating the man. When some of the people looked carefully and were about to ask questions the two in the chariot started clapping and laughing. The masses Aagam- 44 -NandiSootra ~83~ Compiled by- Deepratnasagar
