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Conflict resolution
115
Kūņika knew that Mahāvīra's words held absolute truth. No power in this world could alter that truth. But look at his audacity - he refused to give up his negative resolve. The dark clouds of desire had blanketed his mind and heart so that he could no longer behold the rays of truth.
He resolved to make his dream of becoming a cakravartī come true. He could not acquire the precious gems required for the coronation of a cakravarti. So he duplicated fourteen gems. Along with his powerful troops and allies, he set out to gain victory over the six regions.
During this voyage of victory, he reached the entrance of the Tamittrā cave in Vaitādhya mountain. The deity of the cave questioned him, “Who are you and why have you come here?" Kūņika replied, “I am a cakravartī. I am on my way to attain victory over the six regions. The deity laughed at Kūņika's foolishness and took pity on him, “Oh king! Go back. In a wave of false ambitions, you seem to have lost the discrimination between what is appropriate and what is not. This era has already seen twelve cakravartīs. Which cakravarti are you? To which period do you belong?"
Kūņika's pride rose even higher. He said, “I am going to become the next cakravarti. So what if there are already twelve, why can't there be a thirteenth one? If one has strength in his arms, who can stop him? Look at me - I have the fourteen gems, a large army, great and powerful kings as my allies. Who says that I cannot become a cakravartī? I am already one. Step aside. Do not hinder my path."
The deity realized what a stubborn and over-ambitious person Kūņika was. He advised him yet again. But when a person is lost in the storm of ambition, he cannot be redeemed easily.
Kūņika crossed his limit and challenged the deity and as a result, met his end. His soul left his body and found the path to hell. With his own hands, he destroyed himself. Pride and attachment - both are a hindrance in the path of self-purification;
ead to total destruction.
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