Jain Journal 1973 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 75

APRIL, 1973
227
replied unanimously. When he had obtained that reply three times, the king had Mrigavati brought there to marry. Ashamed, they all went away ; and the king obtained Mrigavati by himself by means of a gāndharva-marriage.
Queen Bhadra, filled with shame and anger, left the king and went with Acala into the Deccan. There Acala founded a new city, Mahesvari, established his mother in it, and returned to his father. His father was called Prajapati by all the people, because he was the husband of his own daughter. Indeed, karma is very strong.
Visvabhuti fell from Sukra at that time and entered the womb of Mrigavati, with a birth as a Visnu indicated by seven dreams. At the proper time she bore a son, the first Sarngabhrit (Vasudeva), named Tripristha, because he had three backbones. Eighty bows tall, playing with Acala, with all the arts acquired, he gradually grew to manhood.
After Visakhanandin's soul had passed through a birth, it was born as a lion on Mt. Tunga and attacked the district of Sankhapura. At that time King Asvagriva, the Prativisnu, asked an astrologer, “Whence will my death come ?"
"Your slayer will be the man who will attack the messenger, Candavega, and who will kill with ease the lion on Mt. Tunga.” Then Asvagriva had rice sown in Sankhapura and appointed kings to guard it in turn. He heard of the two powerful sons of King Prajapati and quickly sent Candavega to him on some business of his. Intoxicated by his master's power, Candavega went suddenly into the private assembly of Prajapati who was holding a concert. The king rose to greet him who was an obstacle to the singing, like an inopportune flash of lightning to the study of the scriptures. The princes questioned the ministers and they said, “This man is the chief officer of powerful Maharaja Asvagriva.” Acala and Tripristha instructed their own men, "Let us know when the messenger leaves.”
On the following day he (Candavega) left, dismissed by Prajapati who had treated him with respect ; and the princes were quickly notified by their men. The princes met him halfway on the road and had him beaten by soldiers ; his attendants fled at once like crows. Prajapati was terrified when he learned about it, had Candavega brought to his house, entertained him in the best way, and said to him : "Please do not tell your master about the princes' bad behaviour. Truly, the noble overlook bad vehaviour that results from ignorance.”