Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.3294

c7.3294

2) Ancient conception. Purāṇas give a different version. People of Java believe that the script originated from Java. The voice of Indonesia, a government organ, published once a purāṇic story relating to the origin of the script. Lipi came into being in 78 A.D. Ajaśikha, a saint among the Buddhists, was the originator of the lipi. He had two disciples named Dora and Sempādā. All the three went and stayed in a village in the valley of the mountains of Koṇṭaṅ. The country of Menrāṅkāmanāl was then ruled by a King called Baka. Ajaśikha heard about this wicked King who had ordered one of his subjects to go to him daily for his food. The people were worried. They tried in secret to find out someone to subdue this tyrant. One day they approached Ajaśikha and requested him to find out a way to get relief from this cruel King. Ajaśikha sent them back promising to do something to help them. Ajaśikha sat in meditation for some time and then told his disciples thus:— "I have decided to help the people of Menrāṅkāmanāl. Dora also should come with me. Sempādā should stay here keeping guard over my sword and clothes. Never give them to anybody but me. You should be prepared to give your life for it." Ajaśikha and Dora went to see Baka. People discouraged them and advised them not to go to the King. But they did not heed and that straight away went to the presence of Baka. Baka started to kill them but then Ajaśikha said, "Oh King, you can eat me tomorrow. In return please give me today land as big as my headwear". Baka agreed to that and Ajaśikha spread his clothes on the ground. As Baka looked with wonder that small piece of headwear began to grow big and it grew in size to cover the whole of the country. Baka got furious at this and attacked Ajaśikha. But Baka was slain in the duel.