Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 3

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

Page 109

CHAPTER TWO
a messenger for summoning vassals, beaten. This crookedminded King Brahmā must be killed together with his sons. An enemy disregarded produces poison like a disease.”
Then a minister said: “Consider carefully, Your Majesty, since King Brahmā is now your vassal or footsoldier. A sudden march against him without an excuse is not fitting. In this way there would be reason for anxiety on the part of other associates (prakrti). A person who is afraid feels no confidence. Without confidence there is no advice, command, et cetera. Without them what lordship is there? Invent some offence on his part by some trick. That will be easy to find for him proud of the strength of his two sons. Send a messenger to ask him for his elephants and horses dearer than life, and other jewels. If he will not give, then he can be killed on that pretext. The people will not censure your punishing a criminal. If he does give what is asked, then some other pretext must be looked for. Every one is a criminal, when an excuse is looked for.”
Tāraka agreed with the minister and at once sent a messenger to Brahmā with secret instructions. He went quickly to Dvāravati and approached Brahmā who was at home attended by Vijaya and Dviprstha. The king invited him to sit down with great cordiality, talked to him for a long time affectionately, and asked him why he came.
He said: “O Lord of Dvārakā, our master Tåraka, destroyer of his enemies' pride of arm, now commands you as follows: 'Whatever choice elephants, horses, and other jewels you have in your kingdom, send them to us. For in the southern half of Bharata whatever choice object there may be belongs to me, the overlord of half of Bharata, and to no one else.'"
: Angered at once by this speech, like a lion by an owl, Dviprstha replied, as if wishing to consume him with his eye: "He is not an elder relative, nor our protector, nor patron. How has he become our master when we are ruling our own