Part 6: Story of the conversion of Udāyana

After he had delivered this eulogy and had done homage again, he asked the Supreme Lord, “Who will be the last royal sage?” The Master replied, “King Udāyana.” Again Abhaya asked, “Lord, who is this Udāyana?” Then the Master related the life of Udāyana.

“There is in the country Sindhusauvīra a city named Vītabhaya and in it there was a powerful king named Udāyana, who was lord of three hundred and sixty-three cities, Vītabhaya and others; lord of sixteen realms, Sindhusauvīra and others. He was the overlord of ten crowned kings, Mahāsena and others; and of others on earth he was the leader, having conquered them. His wife was named Prabhāvatī, whose soul was purified by right-belief and by whom propagation of Jain doctrine was made and hence was called ‘Prabhāvatī.’ He had a son, named Abhīci, borne by Prabhāvatī, who endured the burden of the office of crown prince, and a nephew, excellent Keśin.