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NEW IDEOLOGIES NEW TRADITIONS
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King Chetak also hit only when attacked first and that also only once a day 1 It was the grafting of non-violence to violence It was violence under compulsion redeemed by an accent on non-violence
Chetak had taken a vow of non-violence He believed in abstaining from injuring others All urge for expansionism that he had had already been sublimated into philanthrophy, However, he was alive to his social responsibilities Once queen Padmavati said to Kaunik, 'It is Vehallakumar who derives the utmost pleasure from a regal existence You are no more than a prince in name'
On Kaunik's query as to how he merited such a vitriolic remark, she said, 'Vehallakumar owns the rare elephant Gandhahasti and the most precious necklace The two rarest jewels lie with him What use our being the ruling chiefs ?'
The argument of the queen had a persuasive force Kaunik was piqued He demandea che jewels and the elephant of Vehallakumar
Said Vehallakumar, 'Sirel Late king Shrenik gifted me the necklace and the elephant during his life time These are a part of my personal property I may barter these articles for half the kingdom if you so desire'
The offer found no favour with Kaunik
Apprehending extrotion of the two articles at the hands of Kaunik, Vehallakumar planned to slink away to the kingdom of Chetaka and finding an opportune moment He slipped off Vaishalı with his valuable possessions
No sooner Kaunik learnt of it than he sent his emissary to king Chetak to extradite Vehallakumar alongwith his precious necklace and elephant Chetak rejected the request He conveyed, 'You and Vehallakumar, both are sons of king Shrenik and my daughter queen Chellana Hence you both are my grand-children I treat you both equally Vehallakumar has sought refuge with me I have granted him asylum as the
1 'Awashyakchurni', II pt p 173
