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Bhagawan Mahavir /
[ 117
and establish the fundamental principles of religion and righteousness by means of their teachings. Chakravartis are to rule over all the six parts of this world and establish themselves as emperors, while Vasudevas are responsible for the government of three parts only. Baladevas assist Vasudevas in discharging their duties. Prativasudevas likewise have control over the three parts, but, while many of the rulers of different states are loyal to them, others do not accept their authority. Thus their reign is always full of disorder and discontent. Various kinds of political revolutions take place in their dominions. Even religion is not safe in their hands. In short we can say that they reign with injustice and dishonesty rather than with justice and uprightness; and the Vasudevas being more powerful than the Prativasudevas, kill them in battle and appropriate their dominions. And now once more people breathe freely in the reign of justice and uprightness,law and peace, established in all the three parts of the world. Religious feelings are revived and the proverb 'Happy the subjects, happy the king' finds its place on every lip.
As it is already said, Vasudeva Triprishtha spent his boyhood among jovial and happy surroundings. Prativasudeva named Ashvagriva was, at this time, trying to become the paramount Lord of the three khandas. He was the king of Ratnapura. He had defeated many great and powerful rulers of Bharatakshetra and brought them under his subjection. Even the father of Vasudeva Triprishtha was his feudatory. One day while he was sitting in the court with his nobles, a thought suddenly came into his mind. "There is no ruler in all the three khandas of Bharatakshetra; he mused, who
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