________________
MUNIPATI
145
an empeior Now his father sent an invitation for his early return When he came back to his city, he was placed on the throne Emperor Mahapadma fulfilled the wishes of his mother by organising a grand Jina procession on a magnificent scale
"It was about this time that Muni Subrata and his monks reached Hastinapur where Namuchi was the most powerful man, next only to the monarch himself Namuchi thought of taking revenge for the past insult, whose memory still haunted him So he came to the king and sought his. permission to perform a sacrifice The king agreed The minister also desired that his reward might be given which the king had once promised, and, for this, he requested the king to retire for a month ( for a week according to some texts) and leave the administration in his exclusive charge, without bothering during this period as to how he ran it To this request too the king agreed
"The sacrifice started with great pomp and show Hundreds of holy men came to take part in it and thousands came as spectators Everybody praised highly Namuchi's spiritual zeal The only exception was Muni Subrata and his group, who did not come and the minister took it as an insult At once he came to the Acharya and said, 'I order you and your monks to quit at once, If, by to-morrow morning, anyone of your party be found within the limits of this realm, at my command, he will be put to the sword I entertain no request or protest from your side
"The Acharya said that he and his monks could not, according to the sanctions of his order, move out during the Tainy season 'Minister !' said he, 'In giving your order, you should not disrespect the sanctions of my own order. "I know this not,' shouted Namuchi 'My order will be followed to the very letter, and there will be no deviation from it." So saying, he departed,
10
