________________
CHAPTER TWELVE
Nevertheless, king, I shall give you bodily protection, so that you will not be conquered by him." He said, "Very well." Indra Camara thought fit to make a battle which had big stones and a thorn,247 and a second which had a chariot and a mace, leading to victory. In the first a pebble that had fallen would resemble a large stone. The thorn would be superior to a large weapon. In the second the chariot and the mace roam without an operator. The enemy-army, which had risen for battle, is crushed on all sides by them. Then the three, the Indra of the gods, the Indra of the Asuras, and the Indra of men, Kūņika, fought with Ceṭaka's army. A general, named Varuna, a grandson of the charioteer Nāga, an observer of the twelve vows, possessing right-belief, making a two-day fast, his mind always disgusted with worldly existence, having made a three-day fast at the end of the two-day fast, because of the attack on the king, strongly urged by King Cetaka himself, entered the battle, faithful to a promise, the chariot-mace being so irresistible.
He, insulting the king of Campa's general for the sake of a battle, very strong, set out in a chariot with unexcelled speed. They approached, their chariots facing each other, with a desire to fight, beginning hostilities, terrifying like Ravi and Rāhu come to earth. The king of Campa's general shouted to Varuna who was before him seeking a fight, "Strike! Strike!" Varuņa said: "Powerful sir, I have the layman's vow. I may not strike even an enemy before I am struck." "Very Well! Very well! noble sir." King of Campa's general discharged an arrow and Varuna was wounded in a vital spot. Then Varuna, red-eyed, led Kūņika's general to the house of Yama by one blow. Suffering from the deep blow, Varuna left the battle-field, made a
The
322
247 252. Hemacandra's interpretation of mahāśilākaṇṭaka is different from Abhayadeva's com. to the Bhagavati, according to Hoernle, Uv., App. III, p. 59. Hemacandra makes two separate things: mahāśilā and kaṇṭaka, whereas Abhayadeva takes kantaka to equal mahāśilā.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
