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LIFE AND DEATH OF THE SONS OF SAGARA 165 Meghavāhana and Avali as Sahasrākṣa. This is the cause of their hostility. By the power of liberality, Rambhaka wandered through good conditions of existence (gati) and became you, the cakrin. Your affection for Sahasrākşa originated in the former birth.”
Then the Lord of the Rākşasas, Bhima, who was sitting in the assembly, rose and warmly embraced Meghavāhana, and said: “I was a king, Vidyutdanștra, in Kāñcanapura on Mt. Vaitādhya in Bharatakşetra in Puşkaradvipa in a former birth. In that birth you were my son Rativallabha, exceedingly dear. Now, O child, it is well that you have been seen. So it is now also. You are my son. Take my army. Whatever else is mine is yours. In the ocean Lavaņoda is the crest-jewel of all islands, Rākşasadvipa, unconquerable even by the gods, extended for seven hundred yojanas in all directions. At its center is Mt. Trikūța, like Sumeru at the center of the earth, very splendid, circular, nine yojanas high, fifty yojanas in diameter, very difficult of access.
On its top I have made just now a city, named Lankā, provided with golden walls, houses, and arched gateways. Traversing six yojanas within the earth, one finds a fine city of mine, extending for a hundred and twenty-five yojanas, ancient, marked with bright crystal walls, with houses made of various jewels, named Pātālalankā, very difficult of access. O son, take these two cities; be their king. Let the fruit of the sight of the Tirthankara be yours right now."
With these words, the Lord of the Raksasas gave him a large necklace made of nine jewels, and also the magic science of the Rakşasas at once. After he had paid homage to the Blessed One, then Ghanavāhana wentto Rākşasadvipa and became the king of the two Lankās. From that time his family became a Rākşasa-family from his kingship over Rākşasadvipa and from the Rākşasa-science. This being the case, the All-knowing went elsewhere in his wandering. Indra, Sagara, and the others went to their respective abodes.
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