Book Title: Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 1
Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra
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282
his younger brothers' kingdoms, after seizing enemies' kingdoms for sixty thousand years was the cause (of the desire for a meeting). If brotherly feeling was its cause, why did he send messengers to his brothers one by one with the intention of fighting or taking their realms ? With the thought, Who will fight with his elder brother, even though rapacious ?! the noble younger brothers followed their father. The hypocritical conduct 886 of your master seeking a pretext was quickly shown by his annexation of their kingdoms.
Showing that kind of affection for us, he sent you, distinguished, experienced in fluent, deceitful talk. Will he, greedy for my kingdom, have the same joy at my coming which he experienced from the gift of their kingdoms by his brothers who became mendicants ? I am harder than a thunderbolt since, though having little power, I do not accept his wealth, fearful of my brother's contempt! He is more delicate than a flower, who, deceitful, himself takes the kingdoms of his younger brothers who fear censure ! Pray, messenger, how are we more fearless than the fearless, since we disregard his seizure of our brothers' kingdoms? Respect for an elder person is ordained, if the elder person is deserving of respect. Respect for an elder person lacking in all venerable qualities is the abode of shame. One abandons an elder who is arrogant, does not know right and wrong, and has adopted the wrong course. Has any horse, etc., been taken from him, or any city, etc., been destroyed, because of which the King, enduring all, will endure our disrespect'? We shall not make an effort there to refute wicked people. Are the virtuous, acting after due consideration, ruined by mischievous talk ? Has the reason because of which we did not go for so long
838 128. Bakacestita. The heron is considered an example of hypocrisy and deceit. There are various proverbs illustrating this. See H.P. p. 24.
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