Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

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

Page 320

280
CHAPTER ELEVEN (fitting) for a warrior.
When Pradyota knew that Udayana had gone with the five, he rubbed his hands, as if he were throwing dice in gambling. The lord of Avanti, whose courage was invincible, fitted out Nalagiri loaded with elephant-drivers and soldiers and sent him in pursuit. After twenty-five yojanas had been traveled, the fear-inspiring elephant was seen by Udayana not very far away. Then Udayana had one of the jars broken on the ground and at the same time urged on his elephant. The elephant (Nalagiri) stopped a moment to sniff the contents of the jar and then, urged on by a stick, started again. The king of the Vatsas delayed the progress of Nalagiri by having the other jars broken, each at the same distance on the road. After Udayana had gone one hundred yojanas, he entered Kausāmbi and then the she-elephant died from exhaustion. While the elephant Nalagiri delayed to sniff the contents of the jars, the king of Kaušāmbi's army approached to fight, whereupon the elephant-drivers turned Nalagiri and returned to Ujjayini by the same road by which they had come.
Pradyota, a Křtānta from anger, began to collect an army but was prevented by the faithful ministers of the house with the argument: “Certainly, the girl will have to be given to some suitor or other. So, what better son-in-law than the king of the Vatsas will you find ? Vāsavadattā herself chose him of her own free will. As a result of his good deeds, he was a suitable husband for your daughter, master. Therefore, enough of collecting an army. Accept him as her husband, since he has taken Vāsavadattā as a maiden.” Enlightened by them with this reasoning, the king, knowing what was proper, joyfully sent the king of the Vatsas a collection of gifts suitable for a son-in-law.
Continuation of Abhaya and Pradyota story (266)
One day a fire raged unchecked in Avanti. Abhaya,