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A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAN village. Agnila was stubborn and haughty, hence she was abandoned in a jungle by that brahmin. Per chance Kararuha, the king of Puşpāvatīrṇanagara courted her and made her his queen. Proud of the king's favour for her, she once kicked the head of the king. The latter enquired of his counsellors as to what punishment should be given to a person who hurls his leg at the head of a king. All were of the opinion that the person should be made bereft of his leg or sent to gallows. But Hemanka who apprehended the incident told that the leg of that person should be worshipped. He further requested the king to excuse his wife. By this answer the king got pleased and he favoured Hemanka with valuable presents (77.73-80).
The PCR (80.159-167) mentions Nodana as the name of the husband of Agni (Agnila). The RPS (p. 161) which narrates the story at randam without connecting it with the preceding narrative mentions that Nodana died in the jungle leaving behind his wife and daughter, named Vahni. In due course Vahni was married to Puşpa, the king of Pataliputra.
47. Mitrayaśā and Srivardhita :
Mitrayaśā, a widowed wife of Bhargava told of Hemanka's uprise to his son, Śrīvardhita. She further praised her deceased husband's prosperity and learning before him. Being inspired by his mother Śrīvardhita went to Vyāghrapura and learned there various arts and sciences under a teacher. In due course of time Śrīvardhita absconded with Sundarā, the princess of that town. He was chased by Simhendu, the son of king Sukānta but the latter was subdued by the former. Śrīvardhita duly returned to his own town and exhibited his achievements in the presence of king Kararuha. The king got pleased with Śrīvardhita and made him the king of Podananagara. It so happened that after the death of Sukānta, some enemies troubled Simhendu hence he absconded along with his wife to take refuge under his sister, Sundarā. On the way he accompanied the betel-leaf-merchants. Suddenly being frightened by the thieves he fled away and unfortunately he was bitten by a snake. Then his wife carried him to Muni Maya who was sojourning outside Podanapura. She first touched the feet of the monk and then rubbed with her hands the body of her husband. By this process her husband got cured. Next morning Vinayadatta, a lay-votary informed Srīvardhita of the arrival of Simhendu and his wife. Śrīvardhita then prepared himself for a fight but on being pacified by his wife, he went to pay homage to the monk and received his brother-in-law with pleasure (77. 81-98).
