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A War between Kaunika and King Cheda
It is rightly said that avarice sometimes takes the life of a man. Kali Kumara, the son of Kali, had lost his life on account of avarice. Avarice is a more formidable enemy than even the ghosts, snakes, or scorpions, for the ghosts etc., may cause pain to a man in this life only, but avarice offdicts him even after death,
It was due to avarice that Kali Kumara had gone to fight at the instigation of his brother, Kaunika. The latter could not tolerate the long rein of his father, Shrenika. He, therefore, wanted to rule after throwing him into the prison. He always prayed to God for an early death of his father, Kaunika had ten more brothers. He called them all together and expressed his evil intention to them bravely. He also said that if he got possession over his father's kingdom he would divide it into eleven equal portions and would give one portion to each brother without making any difference of age. He then translated this idea into action; put his father into prison and became the ruler of all the territories. Just after this he went to touch the feet of his mother; but she was very much displeased with the meanness of her son, rebuked him severely for his action and said " My son, is this the example of your filial love? Your father nourished and brought you up; he has made you what you are; should he expect such treatment from you ? My son, remember that day of your infancy when, thinking you worse than excrement on account of the feelings that came to my mind due to your presence in my womb, I had thrown you on a dung hill as soon as you were born. It was this father of yours who saved your life. He went to the dung-hill, took you · in his arms, and brought you home. He nourished you with
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