Book Title: Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 2 Vibhag 2
Author(s): Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker
Publisher: Parimal Publication

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Page 736
________________ 728 The King approved of the adviser's plan with compliments, and he got a unique wooden elephant prepared. In workmanship it excelled even a natural noble elephant. The elephant in question was taken out for a ride and the foresters mistaking it for a true living creature, communicated the news to King Udaina. This king just as he got the information ran out for its capture to the forest. He kept his retinue away and entered the dense forest unaccompanied. The King came as far as the elephant and began to sing in tunes far excellent. As the intensity of music grew the men inside slackened the motion of the elephant. Udayan, the King of Koshambi thinking that it was enraptured and fascinated by his music approached him with very slow and unperceptible steps. Seeing the elephant thoroughly charmed and spell-bound with music Udayana mounted it with a jump as a bird would perch on the tree. The warriors inside the mock - elephant availing the right chance, got out, threw the King from the elephants book and took him a captive. Thus Udayana unaccompanied as he was, was encircled by the men and unarmed as he was, he could display no valour in resistance, The warriors carried him to king Pradyota and offered him as his captive. Pradyota commanded Udayana in subjection to undertake the work of instructing his one-eyed princess in the Gandharva Art. As an enstructor to his princess he would live comfortably in his palace or his life was at his mercy. Udayana with considerate thought accepted the offer for the time being and he would watch and wait. This being settled, the King Pradyota disclosed the fact that he would not see his daughter as she was blind by one eye and to see her would be to throw her in shame. Then the King Pradyota told his daughter in the harem that he had arranged for a Teacher to instruct her in the Gandharva Art, but that he has leprosy, so she should not see him eye to eye. This being agreeable to the Princess, King Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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