Jain Legend Vol 2

Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

Page 184

of the hut served boiling hot native porridge in a plate and placed it in front of her children. One of the children put his hand in the centre of the plate of the hot porridge to eat and started yelling as his hand scalded. The woman in a fretful voice complainingly said "My son! You too, like Cakya seem to be foolish".
Listening to the elderly woman C akya was startled. He enquired her, "What foolish act did C akya do that you are comparing this boy to be foolish like him".
The old woman replied, "O traveller! Without conquering the frontier territories he straight away attacked P al putra, which is in the heart of the kingdom; he faced a terrible defeat, and foolishly risked his life. Similarly this foolish child without first eating the porridge near the ends of the plate directly put his hand in the middle of the plate and scalded his hand".
Cakya learnt a lesson from the old woman's taunts. He thanked her in his heart, and immediately worked out his future plans and even before sunrise, left the place for an unknown destination.
Confronting many problems, C akya successfully crossed the border of Magadha along with Candragupta. After reaching a secure place, once again he started mobilising the army. This time he made an alliance with Pravartaka, the king of Him laya foothills. C akya, luring him to his side, promised him half of Magadha Kingdom, and convinced him to invade the kingdom of Nanda. In a short time, Candragupta too mobilised a powerful army. Following the instructions of C akya, the combined army of Candragupt and Pravartak attacked the frontier regions of Magadha Kingdom, invading, subjugating and establishing their rule on the frontier regions and cities one after the other and ultimately reached P al putra. A fierce battle broke out between the two armies. After a long fight the Magadha army fled away from the battle field. With the fall of Magadha, Candragupta captured Dhanananda alive. The entire credit for the success of this military campaign goes to C akya, because of whose shrewd diplomatic tactics the armies of Candragupta and Pravartaka had emerged victorious, continuously.
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