The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c31.410.2

v2.c31.410.2

Jayasiṁha devotes the next chapter to a religious discourse between the king and the sage, and then in the 7th *sarga* we are told that the king finally accepted *Śrāddha-dharma* from Hemacandra and prohibited the killing of animals in his kingdom.³ The author informs us that the order became effective in Surāṣṭra, Lāṭa, Mālava, Ābhīra, Medapāṭa, Maru, and even Sapādalakṣa-deśa.⁴ The decree was enforced with such rigour that a merchant of Sapādalakṣa, for killing a louse that was sucking his blood like a *rākṣasa*, was arrested like a thief and compelled to give up all his property for the foundation of a sanctuary for lice (*Yūka-vihāra*).¹ The slaughter of goats on *Nava-rātras* was abolished and the king even sent ministers to Kāśi to suppress injury to animals. The next two *sargas* are devoted to the description of Kumārapāla's pilgrimage to various Jain sacred places, and the establishment of *caityas* and temples and various donations. In the tenth section we are told that the king conferred upon his *guru* the title of *Kalikāla-sarvajña* ² and after selecting Ajayapāla as his successor died soon after Hemacandra's death. The *Kumārapāla-pratibodha* of Somaprabha ³ generally describes the Jain teachings given to the king by Hemacandra, and sets forth Kumārapāla's edict prohibiting slaughter of animals, meat-eating, gambling, and prostitution.