________________
156
CHAPTER FOUR
March through Khandaprapātā (273-276) At the King's command the general opened the cave Khandaprapātā, as he had Tamisrā, preceded by a three days' fast, etc. Sagara mounted the elephant, set the gem on the right frontal boss like the sun on the peak of Meru, and entered the cave. Drawing circles on both sides with the cowrie as before, after he had crossed the rivers Unmagnā and Nimagnā as before, the King, like a river's stream, left the cave by its south entrance which opened of its own accord.
Conquest of the nine treasures (277–284) The King put his camp on the west bank of the Gangā, and made a three days' fast directed against the treasurejewels.811 At its end the nine treasures named Naisarpa, Pāṇdu, Pirgala, Sarvaratnaka, Mahāpadma, Kāla, Mahākāla, Māņava, and Sankhaka, each attended by a thousand gods, approached the King. They said: “We live in Māgadha(-tirtha) at the mouth of the Ganga and have come to you, illustrious sir, subdued by your good fortune. Enjoy and give as you like unhesitatingly. Even if the ocean could become exhausted, we could not be exhausted. Set on eight wheels, constantly filled by nine thousand Yakşas like your servants, twelve yojanas long and nine wide, we shall go along in the ground as your attendants, Your Majesty." The King assented to their speech, broke his fast, and held an eight-day festival to them like guests.
Conquest of the southern district of the Gangā (285–287)
At Sagara's command the general conquered the second eastern district of the goddess Jāhnavi like an earthwalled town. Bhāratavarşa has six parts: the four districts of the Gangā and the Sindhu and the two parts
311 an
jewels.'
311 277. Properly speaking, the treasures were not They do not belong to the 14 'jewels.'
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
