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THE LORD'S BIOGRAPHY SOME IMAGES AND SKETCHES
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began to question himself Was that protection a mere passing shadow and no more?
The sorry demise of the worthy, parents left the affectionate heart of Kumar tossed with anguish The truth of life's essential transitoriness coloured his vision and consequent conduct
It was plain to him that all human meetings were a prelude to impending painful partings He attained those empyrean heights of love where true affection is seen seated upon the regal throne of affectionlessness
Interview with Uncle :
The hopes of Suparshwa were palled It had been his cherished desire to see Vardhaman enthroned as a mighty emperor Prediction of celebrated astrologers had assured him of this desired event So had his intuitution indicated to him He had given a wide currency to this conviction Led by these acclaimed views Shrenik, Prayot and many other princes used to attend on Vardhaman His undaunted virility and character evinced the virtues supposed to inhere in every emperor 1
The hint that Vardhaman was willing to renounce householdership and retire as a Shramana simply exploded this hearty dream He had hardly recovered from the terrific shock of his brother's mourning when these newly-spreading rumours of Vardhaman's final renunciation struck him as does a thunderbolt
Vardhaman found Suparshwa stepping into his chamber and that without any intimation in advance He was surprised at this sudden visit He stood up to receive him, saluted him and said, 'Uncle sire, your kind visit gratifies me It is your sheer kindness to call on me But I wonder why you should have strained yourself so much I should have been called to your apartment'
1
'Awashyakchurni', first part p 249
