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[The Previous Lives of Lord Mahavira
He asked forgiveness for his fault from the Prince. The Prince was so kind hearted that he at once permitted him to go. The messenger then fled away with his life. He was praising the bravery and courage as well as the kindness and nobility of the boy again and again in his mind. When he reached the court of the Prativasudeva, he related the whole story of his being insulted by Prince Triprishtha before him. The Prativasudeva was very dejected to hear all this and to see the bad condition of his messenger with his own eyes. Although he tried his best to conceal his dejection from the messenger and courtiars, yet it reflected quite clearly from every limb of his body.
Now the first anxiety of Ashvagriva was how to take vengeance upon the sons of Ripupratishatru for the insult of his messenger which had pierced his heart like an arrow and was now tormenting him while asleep or awake, eating or drinking. He was waiting for an opportunity when suddenly one day he entertained an idea. He thought that there would be no loss to the state if he ordered Ripupratishatru alone to go to the forntier province and protect its inhabitants from the molestation of the lion instead of sending so many subordinate kings for the same purpose. If I issue such an order, he mused, the varions kings on the one hand would feel greatly relieved and shall also be obliged to the state, while on the other Ripupratishatru will have to taste the bitter fruit for the actions of his sons in no time. Not only this, the state will have enough of opportunity to keep watch on him and find his mistakes. Thus he would be ruined and crushed of his own accord.'
The Prativasudeva then issued orders accordingly, and Ripupratishatru had no alternative but to obey them. He
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