Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 3

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

Page 48

ŚREYĀNSANĀTHACARITRA
19
from lotus eyes, was like a weapon sacred to Varuņa 88 among his enemies' wives. His cakra, by which the circle of directions had been subdued, appeared in his hand like a second sun that had become a portent to enemies. Thinking, "May he, being in our heart, not kill us, considering us hostile,” kings did not feel a lack of devotion (even in their minds. All the kings did not put him at all out of their own hearts, like yogis the supreme spirit.
By his strength he subdued the three parts of Bharatakşetra with Mt. Vaitādhya made into a stone boundary-pillar. The chief of the Vidyādharas, he conquered the two rows of the cities of the) Vidyādharas, which were like arms of Mt. Vaitādhya, by means of vidyās and strength. He was worshipped with gifts by the lords of Māgadha, Prabhāsa, and Varadāman, and by gods as well as kings. His powerful command was constantly borne on their heads like crowns by sixteen thousand crowned kings. Enjoying his sovereignty of one umbrella, long-armed, he passed much time like Indra on earth.
One day, as King Aśvagriva was sporting at will, this thought came into his heart unexpectedly, like an illothened cloud into the sky:
“Whatever kings there are in the southern half of Bharata are submerged in my power, like mountains in the ocean. Who among kings will be my slayer, since I am the sole powerful man on earth, like a lion among deer? This is hard to know, yet I will know it."
Reflecting thus, he had the astrologer Asvabindu summoned at once by the door-keeper. Asked by the king for his opinion, the astrologer said : “Heaven forbid ! May this inauspicious speech be averted. For not even Yama causes the death of you who are the conqueror of the whole world. What wretch among mortals, certainly inferior (to Yama), will do so ?”
98 250. Because of his connection with water.