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| Once upon an uncomputable time past, there was a king bearing the name if Mahajanaka who reigned in the city of Mithila in the land of Videha. King Mahajanaka had two sons named repectively Aritthajanaka and Polajanaka. The elder son was invested by the King as Viceroy, and the younger one, Chief Minister. In the course of time, the King passed away to heaven. Prince Aritthajanaka acceded to the throne and invested his brother as Viceroy. |
 Then one close courtier kept repeating to the King :"Your
August Majesty, the Viceroy is plotting against the throne."
The oft recurring venomous words took their toll on the King's
affection for his brother. As a result, Viceroy Polajanaka was
put in chains and under guard in a mansion near the Royal Palace.
Polajanaka swore upon the truth : "If I truly plotted against
my brother , let these chains enfix my hands and feet forever
and the door stay closed and locked. If I am innosent of High
Treason, let these chains fall from my hands and feet and the
door be opened." On the instant, the chains dropped down
in pieces and the foor was flung open wide. Thereupon, Prince
Polajanaka went to a frontier town to recoup. The people recognized
him and took good care of him. Now King Aritthajanaka was unable
to have him arrested. |
 Prince Polajanaka was able to expand his influence over
the whole frontier territory and assembled a large military might.
He reflected : "Of old, I entertained no ill will towards
my brother. But now the situation has changed so I'll act accordingly."
He called up the militia and surrounded by a host of populance,
set off for the city of Mithila. There he establishedan encampment
outside the limit of the metropolis. When the soldiers of Mithila
City learnt prince Polajanaka has arrived , they came in great
number, to the prince's headquarter, bringing with them a quantity
of military equipment and transport such as elephants. Cilvilians
from the city also came to join. |
 Prince Polajanaka sent a sort of ultimatum to his brother:
"In the past I never entertained any kind of enmity towards
you but I intend to kindle hostility at this very moment. Are
you going to cede the throne to me or are we to battle it out?
" King Aritthijanaka acknowledged the message and decided
to battle. So he called his Queen and said: "Dearest, to
vanquish or to be vanquished is not predictable. If I am to meet
deadly danger, then take good care of our unborn seed."
After these words, he led the army out of the royal city. |
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