Gaudavaho

Author(s): Vakpatiraj, Narhari Govind Suru, P L Vaidya, A N Upadhye, H C Bhayani
Publisher: Prakrit Text Society Ahmedabad

Page 80

(Lxüi)
Pandit mentions another Jain work 'Prabandhakośa', from Rājasekharasūri, in which, among the many lifestories, is that of Bappabhatti. We are told in this work that while Bappabhatti was being educated by his teacher Siddhasena, at Modherakapura, a young prince named Ama was also there, being taught the 72 arts and sciences along with him. Ama was the son of King Yašovarmā of Kanyakubja reigning at Gopālagiri-durga (Gwalior ), by Yasodevī, who, not being a favourite of her husband was abandoned by him. He was born during her banishment and was brought up by Siddhasena. After his mother's and his own restoration, he was expelled by Yašovarmā, because he was a spendthrift. He thus came a second time to Modheraka and it was during his second stay at that place that he was being educated as above. Yašovarmã was soon taken ill and when on the point of death, he sent for the Prince, at the instance of his ministers, that he might be crowned king in succession to himself. Some time after Ama began his reign at Gopagiri, he sent for his friend Bappabhattı......and made him the chief of the learned people at the court of Gopagiri. While Bappabhatti was at Gopagiri, he happened to take offence at some thing done by the king and at once left Ama's court and came to Laksanāvatī, where king Dharma was reigning. The poet Vākpati, who was in the service of king Dharma, assisted Bappabhatti to get an honorable welcome for him from the king Dharma. Soon afterwards, Ama regretted and brought him back to his court ... ... ... Vāk pati is called Prabandha-kavi, writer of Prabandhas or biographical poems. The other details, viz. the invasion by Yasodharmā, the defeat and death of Dharma and the appropriation of his kingdom, Vākpati's incarceration etc. are the same as in Bappabhatti-carita. Vākpati is liberated by Yasodharmă,