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CHAPTER THREE
and garuda-banners, when moving even in play, they made the earth turn. Practice in all weapons and study of all sciences, as well as their youth, made especial wealth of strength and intelligence.
Quarrel with Meraka (106–167) One day, when they were playing in the city's environs, they saw a camp established with guards, with many elephants, horses, and much treasure. The minister's son, questioned by Lăngalin, "Who sent this here, a friend or enemy?" replied, "These presents are sent as tribute to Ardhacakrin Meraka by King Śaśisaumya from a desire to live.” Angered at hearing that, Śāmgapaņi said, “Why shall tribute go to him while we look on? Who is this wretched Meraka who takes tribute in this way from kings when we are present? His valor must be seen. Snatch all this away, take it by your own strength," he instructed his soldiers, raising his hand. His soldiers beat Śaśisaumya's soldiers, like fruit-trees, with clubs, hammers, staves, et cetera. Attacked by them unexpectedly hostile, like people asleep by night-attacks, they saved their lives and disappeared like crows. Afterwards Sārngapaņi took everything, horses, elephants, et cetera. To take an enemy's property by force is a characteristic of warriors.
Saśisaumya's soldiers, breathing hard (with indignation), related to Ardhacakrin Meraka that they had taken the property. When he heard that, Meraka, very angry like Yama, unrestrained, said in council with a terrible frown: “Like a kick from a donkey, excited by food, on an elephant, like the beating of a householder's wife by a plowman, like a slap from a frog on a snake, the son of Rudra, devoid of sense, has done this for his own death. Just as the appearance of wings in ants148 is the cause of death, so a distracted mind in men leads to an adverse fate. I will kill him taking my presents like a thief, a new
148 119. They die after the nuptial flight. See I, n. 85.
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