Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

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

Page 353

OMNISCIENCE OF MAHAVIRA
313
for a long time, Abhaya died and became the chief god in Sarvarthasiddha.
Death of Śrenika (108-180)
When Abhaya took initiation at the lotus-feet of Śri Vira, the pure-minded King of Magadha reflected: "Abhaya, among the princes, was the ground of all the virtues. By taking the vow, he wisely accomplished his own object. I shall bestow the kingdom on some prince, powerful, healthy, handsome. For that is the course of kings. A son, with or without virtues, is entitled to his father's wealth. If he has virtues, then the father's merit is splendid. Apart from Abhayakumāra, Kūņika, the abode of contentment of my mind, virtuous, deserves the kingdom, no other." Having decided on Kūņika for the throne, he gave the necklace with eighteen strands and the elephant Secanaka to Halla and Vihalla.
In the meantime Prince Kuņika planned with ten brothers like himself, Kāla and the others: "Our father is old, he takes no delight in sovereignty. When a son of a king has reached military age, he (the king) is entitled to take the vow. Better, very excellent Abhaya, who gave up his wealth though young, than our father, blind from sense-objects, who does not perceive his own old age. So now, after arresting our father, we will take the kingdom suitable for our age. this there will be no evil talk. For he is devoid of discernment. After doing that, we brothers will enjoy the kingdom in eleven parts. Let our father, imprisoned, live a hundred years."
In
Accordingly, they all, evil-minded, imprisoned their trusting father. Evil offspring are like a poison-tree that has appeared in the house. Kūņika then threw Śreņika into a cage, like a parrot. But this is the difference; he did not even give him food and drink. Because of his former hatred, evil Kūņika gave his father a hundred lashes with a whip, morning and evening, every day. Śrenika endured this evil
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