Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c20.s22.3

c20.s22.3

It is said that once a vassal king of Udāyi committed some offence as a result of which he was dethroned. At this the son of this king made up his mind to take revenge on Udāyi. He went to Ujjenī and related the story of his distress to the king of Ujjenī, who promised to assist him in his errand. Later, the disguised prince went to Pāṭaliputra and joined the ascetic order as a novice. It is said that once, together with other monks, he went to the king’s palace for religious discourses, and at night when all were asleep, he took a pair of iron scissors (*kaṅkaṇakaṭṭikā*), and hit the king at his head. It is said that in order to save religion from disgrace, king Udāyi cut off his head and died.¹