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KING HANSA
King Hansa reigned at Rajpur. He was famous as a just and fair king Being a stavaka, he never resorted to falsehood to meet any situation. Thus he was reputed for his devotion to truth
On the summit of Mount Ratnasringa, there was a beautiful temple dedicated to the first tirthankara Rshabba On the full-moon day in the month of Chaitra, there used to be a special ceremony in honour of the Lord when peoplefrom far and near flocked there King Hansa thought of visiting the temple on that day He gave temporary charge of his kingdom to his council of ministers and started' with the members of the royal household and others for the fulfilment of bis spiritual mission
After the departure of king Hansa, another king, Arjuna by name, who was his adversary and who was on the look-out for this opportunity, laid seize of Hansa's city Hansa's army was not only defeated but was routed and some of the leading generals lost their lives on the battle field The rest fled the country There was none to protect the city or the citizens The victor-king captured the palace and the treasury, sat on the throne and rigorously enforced hisauthority all over the kingdom
When Ring Hansa was only half-way to his destinatior, the news of this misfortune reached him A messenger sent by the minister, Sumatı, narrated the developments at the kiogdom and said in conclusion :
«Your Majesty! It may now be for your graciousness to consider what may be needful ”
The king's courtiers were very much perturbed They said, “Your Majesty, we should drop the idea of pilgrimage
