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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
NOTES
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and not departing from the traditional methods of his forefathers. In order that his subjects might bave no misgiving on this point, he did not forget to remind them of the fact that whatever he did, he did in consonance with the noble tradition of the former kings of Kalinga. For instance, the fourth year's record of his reign (I. 5) says that he governed the Vidyād hara country in accordance with the principle and usage of the former kings of Kalinga, everywhere by the highest kind of law (Vijādharddhi-vāsam... Kalimga-puvarājānam dhamena va nitinā va pasāsayati savata dhamakūtena). Similarly in the tenth year's record (I. 11), we read that he caused proper homage and honour to be paid to the memory of the former kings of Kalinga, as a public demonstration, no doubt, of his loyalty to the tradition of his royal predecessors (Ralimga-purarājānam yasa-sakāram kārāpayati). The eleventh year's record (I, 12) says that he reclaimed and rehabilitated Pfthudaka, founded by the former kings of Kalinga, by arranging to drive its grassy jungle into the Lāngala river (Kalimga-puvarāja-nivesita-Pithudaga-dabham Nagale nekāsayati). In the very opening paragraph of the Hāthi-Gumpha text (I. 1), he has been represented as "an increaser of the fame and prosperity of the royal House of King Ceta” (Cetarājavamsa-vadhana). The same opening paragraph goes to show that he felt much pride in declaring his connection with the reigning dynasty of Kalinga. And the same inference can be drawn from the concluding paragraph (I. 16) where he figures as a king who descended from a family of the dynasty of royal sages (rājisi-vamsa-kula-vinisita).
It is clear from the records in the Hathi-Gumphā text that King Khāravela successfully followed all the traditional methods of Indian kings to please his subjects. For instance, the first year's record (1. 2) says that as soon as he was anointed, in the very first year of his reign, he undertook to repair the capital of Kalinga, to build up the embankments of the deep and cool tanks and to restore all the gardens, avowedly as a means of pleasing the people, his subjects (pakatiyo ca ramjayati). In the sixth
ar's record (1.7). we read that he showed a great favour to the inhabitants of towns and districts by remitting all taxes and duties, which, too was one of the traditional methods of gaining popularity by a king with his subjects. The third year's record (I. 4), goes to show that he tried to entertain the citizens of the capital of Kalinga by musical performances and festivities and merry gatherings.'
It is equally clear from other records in the Hāthi-Gumphā text that King Khāravela spared no pains and left no stones unturned to win the
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