Part 2: Kumārapāla

Abhaya asks, “When will the statue of the Supreme Lord consecrated by Kapila come to light?” The Master said: “On the border of Saurāṣṭra, Lāṭa, and Gurjara, in the course of time there will be a city named Aṇahilapāṭaka. The crest-jewel of the Āryan country, the abode of the illustrious, with the religion of the Arhats as its only umbrella, it will become a tīrtha. In the shrines there the statues of the Arhats, made of jewels, spotless, will bring to truth the story of the statues in Nandīśvara, et cetera. It will shine with shrines whose tops are adorned with rows of bright golden pitchers like suns at rest. All the people there, generally worshippers of ascetics, sharing in hospitality, will strive for happiness. Unenvious of others’ prosperity, satisfied with their own prosperity, the people there will be liberally disposed toward worthy persons. The wealthy laymen there, exceedingly devoted to the Arhats, will scatter wealth in the seven fields, like the Guhyakas in Alakā. Everyone will be averse to another’s property and wife. The people in this city will be as if born in the suṣamā-period.

When 1669 years have passed from the time of our nirvāṇa, Abhaya, then in that city there will be a king, Kumārapāla, moon of the Caulukya family, very powerful, with a fierce, unbroken rule. He, noble, a hero joined with liberality, will lead his subjects to extreme wealth, guarding them like a father. Straightforward, very clever, tranquil, like lndra in his command, forbearing, invincible, he will govern the earth for a long time. He will make the people like himself, settled in religion, full of knowledge, like a friendly teacher a pupil. A refuge for those desiring a refuge, a brother to other men’s wives, he will esteem dharma much more than life or wealth. In heroism, dharma, liberality, compassion, authority, and other manly qualities he will be without an equal. He will conquer the north up to the country of the Turks, the east upto the river of the gods (Gaṅgā), the south to the Vindhya, the west to the ocean.