Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c17.4

c17.4

The *Ṭīkā* also tells how Dhana-Nando, "abandoning his passion for hoarding, became imbued with the desire of giving alms, and built for the purpose a Hall of Alms-Offerings in his palace." One day, the king entered the Hall in state, "decked in regal attire, attended by thousands of state palanquins glittering with ornaments, escorted by a suite of a hundred royal personages, with their martial array of the four hosts of cavalry, elephants, chariots, and infantry, bearing the white parasol of dominion, having a golden staff and golden tassels," to find that Chānakko, 'who came to Pupphapura in his quest of disputation.' had appropriated the seat which was reserved for the chief of the Brahmans. The king at once had him ejected from the seat. Chāṇakya, leaving, cursed the king and escaped arrest by stripping himself naked as an Ājivika and running into the centre of the palace where, in an unfrequented place, he concealed himself. At night, he entered secretly into a league with the Crown Prince named Pabbato who showed him the way out, on his promising him sovereignty.