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202 TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MAŅIPATI-CARITA 831. Who was Metārya ?' the merchant Kuñcika asked the
sādhu who replied: 'Listen, disciple and be full of zeal
here. 832. In the city of Sāketapura there was a king Candrāva
tamsaka who was an excellent disciple. He had a wife called Dhāraṇī and their sons were Municandra and
Gunacandra. 833. The elder son was heir apparent whilst Ujjain had been
given as a princely appanage to the other son Gunacandra
who held sway there. -834. The king's second wife was called Padmāvati and her sons
were Sāgaracandra and Bālacandra. 835. On a day of the moon's periodic change the king abstained
from food and from sexual intercourse and went to his dwelling house to stand in an ascetic posture for as
long as a candle should burn. 836. The chambermaid thinking her master could not stand
there alone in the dark poured oil into the lamp at each
watch. 837. But the king was of delicate constitution and in blissful
meditation he fell at last unconscious on the ground
and was reborn in the world of the gods. 838. As soon as he had celebrated his funeral obsequies
Municandra said: 'Lady Padmāvati, take the kingdom
for your sons, 839. and I will take the vows.' She replied: 'My sons are
too young to know what is the right view and what
the wrong view; so let the kingship be yours.' 840. Municandra became king and administered all his subjects
and she seeing his royal splendour was greatly vexed
in heart. 841. She thought : 'Unhappy and wretched that I am in that
I accepted not the kingship when he offered it to my
sons but remained with mind asleep. 842. Now I will kill Municandra and give his royal dignity
to my sons.' With murderous intent she sought for the king's weak spots.
