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Bhagawan Mahavir ]
[ 119
nobody dared to go outside unarmed or alone for fear of him. On hearing this news the Prativasudeva issued orders to his subject kings that they should go the frontier province turn by turn and encamp there for a fixed period of time in order to protect the life of the people of that place. After receiving orders from their sovereign king feudal chiefs had to go to the boarder land by turns and protect the subjects of that province for a fixed period of time.
Only a short time after this, Ashvagriva heard that the two sons of Ripupratishatru, the ruler of Potanapura, had distinguished themselves for their bravery and courage. This news made him rather afraid. He therefore called his chief messenger Chandavega to him, gave him direction and sent him to Potanpura. The messenger haughtily entered the council of the king of Potanpura without giving due notice. The courtiers thinking him to be a guest of the king stood up all at once to show their respect to him, but the two princes Achalakumara and Tripristhakumara did not like this unmannerly behaviour of the messenger; and hence, neither did they stand up in respect for him nor did they pay their homage to the stranger. Not only this, Triprishtha Kumara even made up his mind to teach him a lesson for this act of impudence on the part of the messenger. The messenger felt the disgrace but did not say a word because he knew that the time for it had not yet come. He took leave of the king, and returned to his master. He must have covered only a short distance when finding him alone, Prince Triprishtha jumped over him, beat him severely and taught him a lesson for his misconduct. The messenger now came to himself, his pride was gone, and he felt this insult so very deeply that he wanted to disappear as soon as possible.
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