The Colas c34.7

c34.7

The life story of Jīvaka is that of an ideal hero, equally distinguished in the arts of war and peace, the perfect saint no less than the charming lover. After a stormy youth mark-ed by many adventures, Jīvaka finds himself in the prime of life the monarch of a splendid kingdom; for some years there-after he lives a life of pleasure in the company of the eight splendid queens whom he had espoused at different times earlier in life; in fact, the *Śindāmaṇi* is also called *Maṇa-nūl*, the Book of Marriages, on account of each of Jīvaka's adventures culminating in a happy marriage. Jīvaka is shaken from his complacency by an incident, trivial in itself, but full of deep significance to him. He sees in a moment's flash the hollowness of human life and the wisdom of seeking release from its bonds. He installs his son on the throne and seeks the peace of the forest, and attains salvation in the end.