Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 3

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

Page 54

ŚREYAŃSANĀTHACARITRA
25
known, not reporting to the royal court. For that is the custom among the people. I will not report to the king such conduct of your sons. Water can be thrown, not drawn, from the mouth of an elephant. So, put your mind at rest, O king. I am going. Now give me dismissal. There is not the least evil in my mind."
Prajapati embraced the messenger like his own brother, when he said this and, his hands folded submissively, dismissed him.
""
In a few days the messenger went into Aśvagrīva's presence; but the story of the attack on him had gone ahead like a chamberlain. At that time (of the attack) Candavega's whole retinue, terrified, had gone and reported to the king the whole story about Tripṛṣṭha. The messenger saw Hayagrīva, his head up, red-eyed, like Vaivasvata (Yama) ready to swallow the earth. I think some one has told the king the story of the attack on me," the courier thought. For servants know the signs. Questioned by the king, he related the story completely. For in the presence of severe masters one can not lie. Remembering his promise, the courier declared: "Just as I am devoted, Your Majesty, so is King Prajapati. What the princes did, that was trivial, childish ignorance. Besides, he was extremely disgusted by the behavior of the princes. Just as you are preeminent in power among all the kings, so King Prajapati is preeminent in devotion to you. The king blamed himself for a long time because of the princes' fault. He accepted your command and gave this gift."
The courier became silent after saying this and Hayagriva reflected:
"The prediction of the astrologer has been demonstrated by one test. If the second test, namely, the killing of the lion, takes place, then I think there is ground for fear."
The killing of the lion (354-414)
With this reflection, he then commanded Prajapati through another messenger, "Protect the rice-fields from