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SUMMARY OF CONTENTS
 
help of his brother and the Sabaras, he killed king Jalandhara,
the murderer of his father. He made Mahogra the minister
of the king who succeeded Jalandhara and returned to the
forest. Mahogra practised devotion to god Gaṇeśa and attained
heaven on his death.
 
(Av. Sāra V. 66-75; Av. portion lost)
 
Dirghadarśin was born as Prahāra, king of the Videha
country. By a curse of the goddess Gangā, Gaṇeśa took birth
as a mortal; and Mahogra also came down to the earth with
the god. They were born as Apahāra and Upahāra, the twin
sons of Prahāra. Acyutaka was born as the merchant Dhana-
mitra. Evil tendencies predominating, Nityogra was born as
the hunter Candakṛṣṇa, whom Ripuñjaya put to death. After
suffering several thousands of hells, added Citragupta, 'you
have now taken birth in a Brahman family. Had you not
given up your life in saving the life of a Brahman, you would
have again been thrown into the hells as before. Re-enter the
body of Matanga and do good to the people.'
 
(Av. Sāra V. 75-81; Av. portion lost)
 
When Citragupta finished his tale I opened my eyes as
Matanga. My relatives took me to my house and healed my
wounds. I learned the Srutis and Smṛtis from the old Brah-
man Santipāla whose life I had saved. I was an aspirant for
immortality and god Śiva appeared before me in person and
said, "Dear Kapiñjala! you have suffered enough from the
curse of the Moon. Hereafter you are the lord of the nether-
worlds. You can go there through a chasm in the Vindhya
forest where you will get the necessary help to enter the nether-
worlds."
 
To the wonderful story of Matanga the prince and his
companions listened with interest and spent a few pleasant
days in his company. One night Matanga took the prince away;
from his sleeping companions and set out to the netherworlds.
Proceeding along a mechanical pathway as instructed in
books on Bilakalpa they saw a beautiful city surrounded by a
fort made of copper. Matanga bathed in a pool; and asking
the prince to ward off obstacles, began to offer oblations in the
sacred fire and finally threw himself into the flames. Soon
after, he rose from the fire adorned with a sword in his hand,
bracelets in his arms and a crown on his head and seated in a
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