________________
307
by force! Let him do so. For that is the path at the disposal of warriors. These being the facts, if after reflection he turns back and goes away, why, let him go in peace. I am not greedy like him.
'I should enjoy all of Bharata given by him'! How can that be? Does a lion ever eat anything given by anyone ? Sixty thousand years passed while he was taking Bharata. If I had wanted to take it, I would have taken it then. How can I, his brother, take Bharata's glory produced after so long a time, like money from a miser ? If blind from that power like an elephant from nutmeg,849 Bharata can not remain in peace, know that that power of the Lord of Bharata over Bharatakşetra was really gained by me, for I looked on with indifference. He was sent by ministers like himself as a surety to give me treasure, horses, elephants, etc., and glory. If you, desiring his good, restrain him from this battle, certainly I shall not fight with him if he does not fight."
When they had heard this proud speech of his like the thunder of a rain-cloud, their ears picked up from astonishment, the gods spoke again. “On the one hand, the Cakrin, saying the non-entrance of the cakra is the cause of fighting, can not be restrained even by Bịhaspati giving a reply. Saying 'I will fight with him fighting,' you certainly can not be prevented from fighting even by Śakra. This unexpected fighting of you two closely connected with Rşabha Svāmin, both very clever, both possessing discernment, both protectors of the world, both compassionate, has arisen from the loss of good fortune of the world. Nevertheless, O hero, wishing-tree
849 506. Orientals consider nutmeg to be intoxicating. The blindness' would be like that from liquor. Watt, Dict. Vol. II, P. 313. In Irvine's “ A Pepys of Mogul India " there is an interesting item about the effect of nutmeg on a horse. Manucci considered it beneficial. “On giving him each day one nut, he became ever more ready and clever."
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org