Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 1

Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra

Page 268

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Conquest of Vidyadharas (482-536)
The Cakrin arrived at Mt. Vaitāḍhya, following the cakra-jewel like a noble elephant a horseman, with his horses prancing in the air as if not finding room on the ground between the great rivers, Ganga and Sindhu; with rutting elephants raining a stream of ichor, as if wishing to water the earth fatigued by the burden of the soldiers; with chariots of the highest speed making the earth adorned with hair-partings, as it were, by the marks of the large wheel-rims; with a crore of foot-soldiers advancing on the earth with peerless strength, as if showing that it was made only of men. The King established his camp on the mountain's north plateau where the first Jina was praised in the harmonious songs of the Sabaris. Then the King sent an arrow, seeker of tribute, to the Vidyadhara lords, Nami and Vinami. When they saw the arrow, the two chief Vidyadhara lords, "Now possessed by a fit of anger, took counsel together. Bharata, indeed, the first Cakravartin, has arisen here in Bharatavarșa in the continent Jambudvipa. After writing his name himself on Mt. Rṣabhakuța as if on the moon, turning back, he has come here. This King, proud of the strength of his arm, has made his abode at the side of Mt. Vaitāḍhya, like a rider at the side of an elephant. So, being a conqueror he wishes to take tribute from us also, I think. Therefore, he threw this terrible arrow
""
at us.'
After talking this way to each other, they rose and, expecting battle, set out, concealing the mountain-plateau with their forces. The Vidyadhara armies came there at their command, like armies of the gods at the command of the Lords of Saudharma and Iśana. Mt. Vaitadhya laughed as it were, thundered as it were, burst on all sides as it were, with their loud cries of "Kila! Kila!" The servants of the Vidyadhara lords made resound drums of gold like caves of Vaitāḍhya. The lords of the villages and cities of the districts of the north