Book Title: Life and Stories of Jaina Savior Parcvanatha
Author(s): Maurice Bloomfield
Publisher: Maurice Bloomfield

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Page 153
________________ Story of the Cakravartin Sanatkumāra " ascetic, he reached the city of Ratnapura. There he was invited by king Naravahana to break his fast. It happened at this very time that the merchant Jinadharma came there, and was seen by Agniçarman. Remembering his enmity in a former life, he said to the king: Sire, if I may be allowed to eat a hot pudding off the back of this merchant, I will break my fast, but not otherwise.' After some remonstrance the king consented, out of regard for the ascetic. When the meal was finished the dish was wrenched from the merchant's back, together with blood, sinews, fat, and flesh. The victim bore patiently the fruit of his actions in a former life, turned ascetic, and was reborn as the god Indra in the Saudharma heaven. The three-staved ascetic also died, and was reborn as Airāvaṇa, Indra's elefant. Both fell from their stations, Airāvaṇa was reborn as the impious Yakṣa Asitākṣa; Indra as the prince Sanatkumāra. This is the cause of their enmity (1091). 139 Story of the Cakravartin Sanatkumāra, concluded Then a terrific conflict arose between the Yakṣa and Sanatkumāra, in which the Yakṣa not only employed weapons, but also the elements and demons. But, after many indecisive bouts, Sanatkumāra finally felled the Yakṣa with a blow of his fist. Tho smashed into a hundred pieces, the Yakṣa, being immortal, did not die, but fled. Gods and Vidyadharas in heaven shouted the victory cry, and rained a shower of flowers upon the hero (1104). Afterwards Sanatkumāra proceeded to the forest Nandana, saw there the eight daughters of the Vidyadhara King Bhanuvega, and was conducted by them to their city of Priyamgama. The prince was received by Bhānu

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