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NÄYAKUMARACARIU
usurped the throne driving Atibala out of the realm. The latter came and settled in that forest where he founded the town of Giriśikhara. Three generations had since passed in due succession and Somaprabha was ruling at Pundravardhana and Vanarāja at Girisikhara now.
Hearing this account, Nāgak. asked Vyala to proceed to Pundravardhana immediately and get the kingdom restored to Vanarāja. Vyāla went to Pundravardhana and, failing to achieve his object by peaceful persuasion, fought and defeated Somaprabha who then retired for penances. Nāgak. and Vanarāja then arrived there and the latter was crowned king.
Somaprabha, during his ascetic-tours, reached Supratisthapur and was seen by the two sons of king Vijayasimha, Acheya and Abheya. On learning from Somaprabha that he was vanquished by a deputy of Nāgak., they recollected a prophecy and joined Nāgak, as his servants.
VII
Leaving Lakshmimati with her father, Nāgak. along with his other three wives and his soldiers started for the sacred mountain Urjayant. He reached a forest-tract called Jalanti where he halted in a poisonous-mango-grove. He and his men enjoyed the mangoes without any harm. At this a Bhilla named Durmukha presented himself before the hero and expressed himself about the miracle that had been performed. The report of Nāgakumara's arrival spread from mouth to mouth and five hundred warriors came and accepted him as their master.
From there he came to Antaravana where he was received as guest by the king of Antarapur. His host received a letter from Arivarma, king of Girinagara, asking for help against Candapradyota, king of Sindhu with capital at Simhapur, who was contemplating an attack upon him for the sake of his daughter whom he had a desire to give in marriage only to his sister's son. The Antarapur king wanted to go there and his guest expressed a desire to accompany him "just to see how warriors fought though he himself knew nothing of wielding arms in battle". They both then marched in right military array, to Girinagara. During the battle Nāgak. and his warriors showed extraordinary valour on account of which the forces of the enemy were completely routed and Candapradyota himself was captured. In great amazement the king of Girinagara asked the king of Antarapur for information about the hero of the day, but the latter could only say that he was his guest. On learning, however, from another person that he was the son of Prthyidevi and hence his owr sister's son, his joy knew no bounds. They all entered the town with great jubilation and Nāgakumāra married his daughter Gunavati. On a subsequent day Nāgak. visited the holy mountain and worshipped it.
One day, a messenger came with a letter which purported to come from Abhicandra, king of Gajapur, imploring Nāgakumāra's help against Vidyādhara
- XLII –
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