________________
164
JAINA STORIES
“Remember your diety. These are your last moments. I shall cut your head with this sword.”
Undaunted by the terrible environment, the youth was heard saying:
“I seek refuge with the Jipas who are free from lust and attachment. Bhimkumar is my saviour; I beseech refuge with him too”
At these words, the kapanka's rage reached its peak. He shouted,
"Mention not his name, ye wretch. He is a coward and you should be ashamed in beseeching refuge with him Had he been really powerful, he wouldn't haye hidden from my
gaze."
Just then the prince made his appearance and said, “Rascal! Why do you kill him ?"
When kapalika saw Bhim, he released the young man and ran after him They caught one another and there started a deadly battle between the two. But soon the prince got the upper hand, and held the heretic against the ground, telling him,
"My dear fellow ! In your life, you have asked many to reinember their diety. Now it's your turn to do the same. There's none to save you."
Just then the goddess, whom the kapalıka worshipped, came down from the image, and, addressing the prince, said,
“Prince ! I am impressed by thy courage I beseech thee to release my devotee. Please spare his life. I am here to give you a boon"
The prince appeared at his finest at this moment. Said he,
"Goddess ' If you are really pleased with me and desire to give me a boon, then I pray you desist from this carnage from to-day on. You should agree, life is dear to everybody. I beseech nothing else' The goddess agreed and disappeared.
The prince now turned to the young man and was delighted to find that it was the minister's son. He at once took him in embrace and said,
