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stances of his case, and said :-"I am a very old man, and am sure to die within two or four years. But by my death, our family will be saved from ruin. Besides, I will keep a virulent poison in my mouth and there will be very little pain to me."
The next day, as soon as Sakaḍāla bent his head low while giving respects to the King, Śrîyaka at once drew out a bright sword from its scabbard, and cut off his father's head. The King shouted-"Ah! Ah! Śrîyaka, What an improper act have you done?" Śrîyaka replied-"I have come to know that my father has become a traitor to the King, and, so, I killed him.' On seeing the faithful devotion of Śrîyaka towards himself, the King was greatly pleased, and he instructed Śrîyaka to take charge of his father's post. Śrîyaka said :-I have my elder brother named Sthulabhadra, and he is suitable for the post." The King inquired. "How is it that your elder brother is never seen here? Śrîyaka replied Mahārāja! He is living at Kosa's house. It is twelve years that he has been living there. The King sent one of body-guards to bring. Sthūlabhadra to his palace.
Sthulabhadra came to King's palace. The King told him to accept the post of the prime-minister. Sthūla-bhadra informed the king that he would give a final reply after mature thinking. The King permitted him to do so. Sthula-bhadra, thereupon, went into Aśoka-wadî and began to think :-' Ah! Why should there be a post of ministership for me? My father had a premature death on account of his minister's post. By accepting the post of a minister, one must please the King as well as the public. The burden of administerial work is so great that there is hardly any time left, for thinking about one's self.' Sthūlabhadra had experience about the ordinary course of happenings in this world. His sleeping soul awoke. His soul became tinged with true renunciation of worldly objects, on account of the premature death of his father, and as a result of serious thinking, Sthulabhadra went to the King's palace, gave his blessing to the King, and went away.
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