Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

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

Page 306

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CHAPTER ELEVEN “I am Durgacanţa, a householder in Sāligrāma. I came here on a matter of business, and my curiosity having been aroused, I stayed in a temple until late at night. As I was going to my own house, I was challenged by guards like demons, and jumped the wall. Verily, fear of one's life is a great fear. After I had escaped the guards in the city, I fell among the troops of guards outside, like a fish dropped by the hand of the fisherman into a net. Now, although innocent, I am led here by them, having bound me like a thief. Thou essence of niti, consider."
Then the king sent him to prison, and at once sent a man to the village to make enquiries regarding his character. In the beginning (before this), the thief had forced the village to make an agreement. Even some thieves have amazing forethought for the future. When the village was questioned by the king's man in regard to his true character, the people said: “ Durgacaņda was a resident here, but has gone to another village.” When this was reported by the man who had gone there, the son of Śreņika thought, “ Alas, even Brahmā does not penetrate well-planned deceit.”
Next, Abhaya prepared a seven-storied palace, ornamented with precious jewels, like unto a palace of the gods. Adorned with charming young women equal to Apsarases in beauty, it was looked upon as a piece of Amarāvati that had fallen from the sky. A great festival with a concert rendered by a troupe of singers produced at once the magnificence of a real Gandharva city. Then Abhaya intoxicated the thief with wine, clothed him in fine apparel, and laid him on a couch. When he arose, the intoxication having passed away, he perceived immediately a divine splendor, unprecedented and amazing.
Just then, groups of men and women, in accordance with Abhaya's instructions, said to him: “Hail ! O Delight of the World," and other auspicious things. “In this great palace you have now become a god. You have become our master; we are your slaves. Sport with these Apsarases at