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Chetaka discharged an arrow at Koņika. The arrow struck on a stone, and by virtue of Indra's power diverged in its course. King Chețaka said: 'Has the stream of my merit diminished, that this never-failing arrow has diverged in its course? Then it is not expedient to fight any more. So he entered the city. King Koņika, for his part, remained blockading the city. The city had lofty ramparts, and therefore no one could take it by escalade. Every night the Princes Halla and Vihalla, mounted on the elephant Sechanaka, penetrated into the camp of the besiegers, and killed many of their soldiers. Then King Koạika asked his ministers: Is there any stratagem by which these two princes may be killed ?' The ministers said: 'If the elephant Sechanaka could be killed, then these two, without being killed, would be as good as dead.' Then a stratagem was devised for killing the elephant Sechanaka. A trench was made in the path by which the elephant used to come, full of firebrands of acacia-wood, and it was covered above with a quantity of grass. Then Halla and Vihalla came at night mounted on the elephant. The elephant reached the border of the ditch, but would not advance, though troubled (at having to stop). Then the Princes Halla and Vihalla, being enraged, said to the elephant; O you wicked elephant, you have been fed by us, and it is thanks to you that Chetaka is now reduced to such a condition ; now in the time of distress you will not advance.' When the elephant heard this, he put the princes down from his back, and, falling into the trench full of firebrands, died and went to hell. The princes were afflicted at the death of the elephant, and being disposed to renunciation, they were taken to Mahávíra by the goddess that executes the orders of the Jina. There they were both admitted to a vow by the hand of the teacher. Then one day, as Koņika was absorbed in thought, he heard a voice in the air utter these words:
"If the hermit Kúlaválaka shall love the hetæra Mágadhika,
Then King Açokachandra shall take the city of Vaicáli.' When the king heard this, he said: Who is this hermit
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| SR No. | 016059 |
| Book Title | Kathakoca or Treasury of Stories |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | C H Tawney |
| Publisher | Oriental Books Reprint Corporation New Delhi |
| Publication Year | 1975 |
| Total Pages | 288 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Dictionary & Dictionary |
| File Size | 15 MB |