Book Title: Jainism The Cosmic Vision
Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: UK Mahavir Foundation London

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Page 106
________________ Kshamapana maid-servant. Seeing this idol, Udayan gradually tried to reduce his wailings over his wife and the delusion of samsara. The hunch-backed maid-servant, who worshipped the idol, became temple attendant. Meanwhile, a gentleman from the Gandhara kingdom came to worship this divine idol. On account of the fatigue of the journey and the change of climate, he fell ill. Seeing this condition of her God's devotee, hunch-backed maidservant took pity on him, nursed him well and cured him. In return, the gentleman gave to the maid-servant a medicinal gold-pill to make her extremely beautiful. The maid-servant then longed to be a queen. Udayan lived a lotus-like life and so the maid-servant hinted Chandapradyota, the king of Avanti. Chandapradyota, the king of Avanti, carried the maid-servant off. The maid-servant brought with her the sandalwood idol which she worshipped everyday. When king Udayan heard this news, his mind became restless. Chandpradyota had robbed him of his good name. As a dutiful king, he thought that Chandapradyota had outraged his dignity and became his enemy and the enemy should be killed. With all royal authority, he gave a call to ravage the kingdom of Avanti and to imprison or kill the king. But Udayan, the discriminate and religious king, knew that much injustice is done if one fights a battle in exitement. Along with the guilty, the innocent is killed. King Udayan, Bhagwan Mahavira's devotee, first sent his messengers, but Chandapradyota took this for cowardice. At last, Udayan called up his army. He decided to fight the battle with the least possible violence. The purpose was served by a duel between the two kings. On the battlefield of Avanti, Udayan, the royal king, and Chandapradyota, the king, fought like two clouds full 89 Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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