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BHIMKUMAR
167
"This city is named Kanakpur, where once reigned King Kanakratb. His priest Sudatta was a fallen man and was very much despised by the residents of this city Since the priest would not improve, the matter was reported to the king, who severely chastised the priest Unfortunately, the priest died of depression. That priest is now born as a demon. I am he, and sometime earlier, you saw me as a man-lion The man whom you rescued from my mouth was the king himself But I congratulate you for your courage. It is I who arranged for your reception at the palace It is my great power again that has made the residents of this city invisible."
Just then a kevalı arrived at the city park The prince, the minister's son and the deva, all the three came to hm. Even the elephant came there trumpeting wildly and dangling his trunk The kevali who was in the midst of his sermon, changed his topic and said,
"This elephant is really a jaksa, who was the grand-father of King Kanekrath He brought Bhimkumar to this place for the rescue of his grandson As Bhimkumar has saved the king, the yaksa is under a debt of gratitude to him
""
The elephant now changed into a jaksa and lent support to the words of the kevalı The yaka then turned to the prince and requested him to return to his city from which he was absent for long His parents were very much in distress ever since his disappearance in the company of the kapalika. The yaksa even offered to help him to return
Then at the prince's request, he built an air-chariot on which mounted the prince and the minister's son They soon returned to their own city The king and the queen were very happy to see their lost son At the right moment, Bhim was placed on the throne, the king abdicating in his favour. Needless to add, Bhim had a glorious reign, and he spent bis last days in the holy order of monks, attaining liberation at death
