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Characterization
79
Although he pays salary to his army in time, yet his practical behaviour is quelling. Due to his cruel and crushing behaviour, he is expressed like Aśvatthāmā (IV.74) or Kamsa (IV. 73) ; a thorn in the heart of the earth and a jackal or a snake in the jungle of cruelty.
He is an antagonist of the Hindu religion because he kills Brāhmaṇas; spoils sacrifices and hates oblations (11.76). He is a worshipper of those who are against the worship of deities (V. 65). Due to his tyranny, he demands money and taxes from the sages (II. 80). He is a follower of the Cārvāka system of Philosophy and has a materialistic view of life (IV. 31). Due to his cruel behaviour towards sages, he burnt them in the fire which was lit to perform sacrifice (IV. 32). He took away the cows of the sages (11.65); killed the pilgrims (IV. 25); captivated the wives of the sages and practised adultery (IV. 80-81). According to Mülarāja, due to his ill-deeds, he is not a fit person for friendship (IV. 29). Grāharipu has no belief in omens (IV. 71). He took the meat of uneatable animals and hunted the camari cows (II. 86-89). In taxation, he was lustful just like a dog (11.74). He took the tax even on barley (II. 65) and mislead his subject (II. 88).
As a warrior, he is depicted as an expert in guerilla warfare (II. 86). He had two or three akşauhiņi army (V. 59). His valour is described like that of Kārtavīryārjuna ; or equal to three year's lion (V.55). According to Durņasa, a messenger, Grāharipu cannot be won by the enemy (IV. 9). In his opinion, he is a good administrator, a protector of the friend and an expert in the battlefield. During the fight, he never sleeps even for a moment (11.101).
Thus Grāharipu has been depicted as a cruel and irreligious strong administrator.
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