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THE DYNASTIES OF SAURASTRA
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throws light on the early relationship of Lavaņaprasāda and his father with Bhīma II.
It narrates that once Ranaka Āņaka of Vyāghrapallī having been insulted by Bhīma went to the frontier. He was called again respectfully but he refused to come back by saying that as he had lost his kingdom, what he would do by turning back. He would remain as an ordinary footman and spend his life by olagå (begging). His son Lūnapasā (Lavaņaprasāda) used to carry water in the leather vassals. Lüņapasā had two wives and from them two sons by name Vīrama and Vīradhavala. He ousted the mother of Vīrama with the son. She was held by Tribhuvanasimha of Mahta village. Lavaņaprasāda once in the evening went to kill Tribhuvanasimha in his house. He, at that time, was being served for his evening meal when he asked his new wife to call Virama without whom he could not take the meal. Lavaņaprasada thought that though he has held his wife he loved his son so much that he could not kill him. Soon after this thought came to his mind, he appeared before him (Tribhuvanasimha). After the acquaintance they became friends. Tribhuvanasiunha feasted him and offered clothes. After some time Bhīma raised Lavaņaprasāda to the post of Rāņaka and he began to look after the affairs of the government. The king, however, became unnerved when Lavanaprasada established the full control over the kingdom and after the death of Bhīma he became king.1
This story certainly reveals certain realistic facts for which, unfortunately, we have no contemporary evidences. It relates that due to unknown reasons the relationship between Bhīma and Āņaka deteriorated which made the early life of Lavanaprasā da miserable. At the time of the accession of Bhīma Lavaņaprasāda might have been more than 25 years old. From the story related above and from a story recorded in the Prabandha-cintāmani,2 it appears that his wife, in that miserable condition, fled away from Lavanaprasāda and was held up by others. At that time Lavaņaprasāda had a son by name Vīrama from his wife. The Prabandha
1 SJGM., II, p. 54: 1998 TTT 11FT HRATTATTAT TAHFT Ta: परिग्रहेणाकारितो नायाति । राज्यं विनष्टं आगत्य किं करोमि . . . . इतः स क्रमेण भीमदेवेन राणकः कृतः स राज्यचिन्तां कर्तुं प्रवृत्तः। नृपस्तु स्वयं विकलः अथ लवणप्रसादेन राज्यमात्मायत्तं कृतम् इतो राज्ञि दिवं a parfum ara: 1 atta: quitaiata: etc.
2 SJGM., I, p. 98: gega: 91537219S; attua: 1 ALAT #67733t aaराजनाम्नो भगिनीपतेः पट्टकिलस्य भगिन्यां विपन्नायां.... शिशुना वीरधवलेन समं तत्र गता सती तेन गृहिणी चक्रे । etc.
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