Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

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

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PREVIOUS BIRTHS
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Then Aśvagriva had rice sown in Sankhapura and appointed kings to guard it in turn. He heard of the two powerful sons of King Prajapati and quickly sent Candavega to him on some business of his. Intoxicated by his master's power, Canḍavega went suddenly into the private assembly of Prajāpati who was holding a concert. The king rose to greet him who was an obstacle to the singing, like an inopportune flash of lightning to the study of the scriptures. The princes questioned the ministers and they said,
This man is the chief officer of powerful Mahārāja Aśvagrīva."
Acala and Tripṛṣṭha instructed their own men, know when the messenger leaves."
"Let us
On the following day he (Candavega) left, dismissed by Prajapati who had treated him with respect; and the princes were quickly notified by their men. The princes met him halfway on the road and had him beaten by soldiers; his attendants fled at once like crows. Prajapati was terrified when he learned about it, had Candavega brought to his house, entertained him in the best way, and said to him: "Please do not tell your master about the princes' bad behavior. Truly, the noble overlook bad behavior that results from ignorance."
The messenger agreed to this, and departed; (but) Aśvagriva learned fully about the attack on him from his men who had gone ahead of him. When the messenger learned that Hayagriva knew this, he was afraid to lie and gave an accurate account of the attack on himself.
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Aśvagriva sent another man with orders to Prajapati. He went and told him: Guard the rice from the lion. This is our lord's command." Prajapati said to his sons, The lord has been made angry by you, since he has commanded guarding from the lion out of turn." The princes stopped the king who had started, after saying this, and, eager to fight the lion, went to Sankhapura. Questioned by Tripṛṣṭha, How and
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how long have other kings kept off the lion?" the rice-guards said, "The kings kept guard by making a rampart of the
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