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INTRODUCTION
worship of the image of Rṣabha with great pomp, how they gave up their original dress, put on the appearance of Sabaras, and how they pursued the cultivation of Sabarī-vidya under the auspices of the image of Rṣabha. That is how both Eṇikā and Kuvalayacandra came to know those Vidyadharas (Pages 127.27-133.28; *55.14- *57.9).
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KUVALAYACANDRA DISCLOSES HIS OBJECT AND ANTECEDENTS: After some days Kuvalayacandra disclosed to them that he had to fulfil a sacred and solemn mission in the South where he must go now. As he left the place, on an inquiry by them, he narrated his antecedents thus: 'During boyhood, Rṣabha wished for the sugar-cane seen in the hands of Indra; and consequent on that his race came to be called Ikṣväku-vaṁśa. Thus became famous Ikṣvāku Ksatriyas, of whom Bharata was a Cakravartin. Rṣabha's other son was Bahubali. Bharata's son was Adityayaśas and Bahubali's Somayaśas: from them started Adityavamsa and Sasi-vamsa. It is in the latter, in the long run, that king Dṛdhavarman of Ayodhya was born; and I, Kuvalayacandra, am his son. I have to go to Vijayapuri on some mission. Enikā could see that this separation must have been unbearable for his parents; so she arranged to send the message of his well-being to Ayodhya through the Royal Parrot (Pages 133.28-134.23; *57.9-15). KUVALAYACANDRA JOINS A CARAVAN AND HIS ENCOUNTER WITH THE PIOUS BHILLA CHIEF: Prince Kuvalayacandra travelled on posthaste and reached the Sahya mountain (described 134.25-30). Further, he came across a caravan of traders (134.32-135.3). Knowing that the caravan was bound for Kāñcīpurī, he joined it, to cover some distant, with the consent of its leader Vaiśramaṇadatta who welcomed him marking his dignified demeanour. The caravan reached a spot with Bhilla camps in the vicinity; it was well guarded (described 135.10); it was sunset (described 135.12-17); and next morning when it started there was a lot of bustle of instructions etc. (135.21-24). At that time, there was an attack from the Bhillas who robbed the caravan of all that was valuable. When the caravan was routed, the merchant's daughter, Dhanavatī, ran about helplessly and sought shelter of the prince who routed the Bhilla party by an incessant shower of arrows. The Bhilla leader appreciated his bravery, and challenged him to a duel. Both of them fought in various ways, with different weapons and missiles (136.15-27). When the Bhilla chief realized that the prince was more than a match for him and that his death was certain, somehow there was an awakening in him to follow the words of Jina; and he drew himself sufficiently aside, threw the weapons, took the käyotsarga position, and engrossed himself in meditation uttering the pañca-namaskāra. Seeing him like that, the prince rushed to him non-plussed, and embraced him as a co-religionist, requesting him not to take such a step and to forgive him. He expressed micchami dukkaḍam. They understood mutually so well that they felt great affection for each other. The Bhilla chief explained how right conduct was rather impossible for him. First, he withdrew the attack against the caravan, and secondly, assured the leader all safety and full restoration of his possessions (Pages 134.25-138.9; *57.17- *58.12).
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KUVALAYACANDRA, THE GUEST OF BHILLA-PATI: Both of them proceeded towards the Palli (described 138.11-14) situated in the valley of the Sahya
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