________________
vis vabhati Muni, descending from Mahā-śukra déva-loka, assum. ed the form of a foetus in the womb of Mrigāvatî-dévi, portended by seven great dreams - Birth of Tripristha Vasudeva-Celebration of Birth-festivities -Attainment of youth-Cleverness in wrestling, use of war-like weapons and various arts and sciencesPrati-Vāsu-déva, Ašvagriva of Rājagriha Nagara, -The soul of Vis ākha-nandi Kumāra born as a lion in a den near the ricefields of the Prati-Vasudeva-One day, Prati Väsudeva Ašvagriva, invited a very clever astrologer into his private-chambers and confidentially inquired as to how and by whom he will meet with his death-The astrologer reluctantly but positively replied :—"O king ! I can see that your death will be caused by the powerful man who will easily kill the lion living in his den in your rice fields, and the man who will insult your messenger Cayļavéga so widely respected by all your feudatory kings.”— The lion in the rice-fields of Prati Vāsudeva Ašvagriva was doing much damage to the cultivators of the fields, and so, they requested him to afford them suitable protection. Thereupon, Prati-Väsudeva Ašvagriva sent orders to his sixteen thousand feudatory kings to give their services by turns, for the protect ion of his cultivators.—The Prati-Väsudeva, then inquired of his ministers as to who were very powerful among the young prin. ces of his feudatory kings. The ministers said We cannot definitely say, but we have heard that both the young princes viz Acala Kumāra and Tripristha Kumära of King Prajāpati are clever and powerful. Thereupon, Prati-Vasudeva Ašvagriva, sent an order through his messenger Caņdavéa, to King Prajapati to come and see hiin inmediately. At the time when Caņdavéga arrived at Potanapura, King - Prajāpati, his princes, familymembers, and some citizens, had met together in the Inner Court of King Prajāpati, and there was excellent dancing, dramatic performance, and great rejoicing going on. Now, Caņdavėga, unobstructed by any rules of decency and un-prevented by any door-keeper, at once rushed into the private chamber of the Inner Court, and abruptly communicated the message to King Prajāpati-The king hurriedly got up from his seat, to receive
