Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

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

Page 243

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CHAPTER FOUR
In East Videha in the city Sasipura, the ornament of the north row on Vaitādhya, you became the long-armed son, Süryañjaya, of the Vidyādhara-lord, Ratnamālin, by his wife Vidyullatā. One day Ratnamālin went to the city Sinhapura to conquer an arrogant Vidyādhara-lord, Vajranayana. He began to burn by force the city Sinhapura together with its children and old people, its women, its cattle, and gardens. Then a god, the soul of your chaplain in a former birth, named Upamanyu, came from Sahasrāra and said:
Listen! Noble sir! Do not commit such a great crime. You were a king, Bhūrinandana, in a former birth. Then you from discernment promised to abstain from meat and you were said by the chaplain Upamanyu to have broken the vow. One day the priest was killed by a man named Skanda, was born an elephant, and was captured by King Bhürinandana. The elephant was killed in battle and then was born the son, Arisūdana, of King Bhūrinandana by his wife Gandhārā. The memory of former births took place, he became a mendicant, died, and became I, a god in Sahasrāra. Know me. King Bhūrinandana became a python in a forest, was burned by a forest-fire, and went to the second hell. He was enlightened by me who went to the hell from former affection, rose from there and became you, King Ratnamālin here. Do not burn this city, which will produce endless pain now, like the breaking of the vow to reject meat at that time.'
After hearing that account, Ratnamālin desisted from battle and installed Kulanandana, Sūrya's son, on the throne. At that very time he took the vow with his son Sūryañjana in the presence of Ācārya Tilakasundara. The two died and became chief-gods in Mahāśukra. Then Sūryañjaya fell and became you, Daśaratha, sir. Ratnamālin fell and became Janaka. Upamanyu . fell and became Kanaka, son of Janaka. Nandighoşa, who was your father in your Nandivardhana-birth, became I, Satyabhūti, having fallen from Graiveyaka.”
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