________________
130
(4) The Tales of Sabhäparvan
Compared to those in the AdiP, the tales as such in the SabP are very few and far between. More frequent, however, are allusions to certain famous tales or episodes. Sometimes even complete tales are set so briefly that they would look more like a summary of the tale than a tale itself. Fully set secondary tales in SabP are only these (1) The tale of the birth of Jarasandha (16.12 to 18.27), (2) that of the birth of Sisupäla (Adhy.40), (3) that of the hypocrite old swan (38.30-40), (4) that of the quarrel of Virocana and Sudhanvan (61.58-79). (5) and that, relegated to the appendix of the Fire and the princess of king Nila.
Secondary Tales of the two Great Epics
Allusions to some famous tales or episodes are also very interesting in SabP. In Adhy. 3, there are a number of allusions to the sacrificial achievements of Bhagiratha, Indra, Sankar, Brahman, Vasudeva etc.29 intended to show the greatness of the place of Bindu Lake on the Mount 'Gold-Peak' from where Maya Dänava brings the wealth to build the wonderful assembly-hall for Yudhisthira. The brief reference to the only king Hariścandra who obtained a place in Indra's assembly by performing Rajasuya297 is calculated to provoke Yudhisthira to emulate his example. A passing reference to the annihilation of the Ksatriya clan by Parasurama is again of Bhrgu-interest 298 Adhy. 13 the history of Yadavas-Kamsa-Jarasandha conflict recreating the political situation. Within it is briefly given the episode of the deaths of the great friends Hathsa and Dibhaka each of whom, having heard of the death of the other committed suicide.299 Their death has weakened the position of Jarasandha very much. The memory of Brhadratha's great achievement in killing the strong bull and getting three drums prepared from bull's leather, is associated with main entrance of the city of Girivtaja where the drums are still beaten.300 We may note here that the rather over-accurate time indication of the duel between Bhima and Jarasandha, said to begin with the first. day of Kartika, and to continue day-and-night till on the fourteenth night the anti-hero. gets tired and killed brutally, smells of some mythical superimposition upon the episode.301 The chariot on which the victorious heroes ride is associated with the victories of Indra against Danavas and in the war caused by the Tara's abduction by Moon. 302 Its history is also given.303 Apart from the chariot's divine association, such references also seem to remind one of Kṛṣna's being an incarnation of Viṣṇu by
296 SabP. 3.8 15.
297 SabP. 11.52-60.
298 SabP. 13.2.
299 SabP. 13.39-42.
300 SabP. 19.14-16.
301 SabP, 21.17-18. In the Purnimanta Lunar Calendar these days would correspond to the dark half of the month of Aśvina of our Vikrama-samvat Calendar and the night of Jarasandha's death would correspond to that of Kali Caturdaśī.
302 SabP. 22.16 & 18.
303 SabP. 22.27.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
