Jain Journal 1973 04

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

Page 77

APRIL, 1973
229
was the soul of the last Arhat, said to the quivering lion: "He is a lion among men; you, on the other hand, are a lion among beasts. Therefore, you were killed by him, Why do you foolishly feel disgraced, since you were not killed by a low person ?"
Consoled by this speech like nectar, the lion died, and became a hell-inhabitant in the fourth hell.
The princes took his skin and went to their own city, after instructing the villagers : “Tell this to Vajigriva : 'Eat rice as you like. Be reassured now, since the lion, who was an arrow in your heart, is dead."
With these words, the princes went to the city Potanapura The villagers went and told Asvagriva just what had happened. Asvagriva was terrified and, wishing to kill them by trickery, sent a messenger with instructions to king Prajapati. The messenger went and said to him: “Send your sons to the master, for the master intends to give a kingdom to each of them." Prajapati replied.: "I shall go to the master. There is no need of my sons going there, sir."
The messenger said again : “If you will not send your sons, then arm yourself for battle. Do not say that you were not warned.”
The princes were. angered and attacked the messenger speaking in this way and immediately drove him out of the city. Then the messenger went and reported the attack to Asvagriva who blazed with anger like a fire.
Asvagriva with his army and Tripristha and Acala, eager to fight, met on the great mountain, Rathavarta. The soldiers of both sides fought, together, clashing with each other like clouds at the end of the world. When the soldiers were exhausted, Asvagriva and Tripristha forbade the armies to fight and they themselves fought in chariots. Asvagriva's missile became useless, and he hurled the cakra, which is eager to cut the enemy's neck, at Triprstha, which was observed by the people with cries of "Ha ! Ha !” The cakra fell on Tripristha's breast with the hub, like, a Sarabha that has jumped up impetuously on a mountain-plateau. Tripristha, best of heroes, cut Asvagriva's neck with the cakra as easily as a lotus-stalk.
“Acala and Tripristha, the first Halin and the first Sarngin”, was proclaimed by gods in the air, accompanied by a rain of flowers. At once all the kings submitted to them ; and the southern half of