Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

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

Page 53

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PREVIOUS BIRTHS The princes took his skin and went to their own city, after instructing the villagers: “Tell this to Vājigrīva: “Eat rice as you like. Be reassured now, since the lion, who was an arrow in your heart, is dead.”
With these words, the princes went to the city Potanapura. The villagers went and told Hayagriva just what had happened. Hayagriva was terrified and, wishing to kill them by trickery, sent a messenger with instructions to king Prajāpati. The messenger went and said to him:“ Send your sons to the master, for the master intends to give a kingdom to each of them.” Prajāpati replied: “I shall go to the master. There is no need of my sons going there, sir.”
The messenger said again: “If you will not send your sons, then arm yourself for battle. Do not say that you were not warned.”
The princes were angered and attacked the messenger speaking in this way and immediately drove him out of the city. Then the messenger went and reported the attack to Hayagriva who blazed with anger like a fire.
Hayagriva with his army and Triprstha and Acala, eager to fight, met on the great mountain, Rathāvarta. The soldiers of both sides fought together, clashing with each other like clouds at the end of the world. When the soldiers were exhausted, Ašvagriva and Triprştha forbade the armies to fight and they themselves fought in chariots. Ašvagrīva's missiles became useless, and he hurled the cakra, 19 which is eager to cut the enemy's neck, at Triprstha, which was observed by the people with cries of “Ha! Ha!” The cakra fell on Triprstha's breast with the hub, like a śarabha20 that has jumped up impetuously on a mountain-plateau. Triprstha, best of heroes, cut Hayakaộtha's neck with the cakra as easily as a lotus-stalk.
19 167. The cakra is the discus of the cakravartin (ruler of all of Bharata) and the Vasudeva (ruler of half of Bharata). It is invincible with rare exceptions, e.g. a member of the family. I, p. 321.
20 168. A Sarabha is a fabulous animal, the only superior of the elephant,