Book Title: Kathakoca or Treasury of Stories
Author(s): C H Tawney
Publisher: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation New Delhi

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Page 219
________________ 193 Then he determined to make war on Báhubali, in Takshaçila. Ho sent to him an ambassador named Suvega. The ambassador went to the court of Bahubali. Báhubali said :* 'Is there victorious triumph among the subjects in the kingdom of my elder brother, the inhabitants of the city of Vinítá, who were once cherished by my adored father, whom he fostered by bestowing on them a multitude of accomplishments ? Are the chiefs of the city and the country, the horses, the elephants, the generals, and the soldiers well ? When the king had asked this question ho ceased, and Suvega answered without perturbation. The ambassador said :t Since the king has conquered the kings of men, and even fate would be powerless to harm him, could any one do any harm to any one of the horses, troops, and generals in that city that lies around his palace ? That older brother, the emperor, is to be respected by you, on account both of his elder birth and of his valour. If you wish for long life and rule, then abandon, O Bahubali, your pride. When he had said this, he ceased, and Bahubali said : 1 Ambassador, what you have said is becoming; you are exceedingly eloquent; there is no one like you, that would dare to say this in my presence. As you are executing your master's errand, you have no fear for your life.' Then he took him by the back of the neck and sent him about his business. The ambassador went and told exactly what had taken place to King Bharata, saying: 'My lord, Báhubali, rendered arrogant by his might, says thus: “Ambassador, go to your master, and say to him : Do you forget that day on which you were tossed about like a ball? Why are you proud of having conquered Ganga and Sindhu, a couple of females, and the Náhala warriors ?!"? When King Bharata heard this, he proudly ordered his drum to be sounded for the advance. When the armies met, there was a great fight. At this point, Anilavega, the young The speech that follows is in verse in the original. + The following speech also is in verse. I This speech also is in verse. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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