Paumacariya 8
English (machine translation) 8
- Language
- English
8.1
Now, on Mount Vaitāḍhya, on the southern row, in the city of Surayasaṅgīta,
there was [a Vidyādhara] named Maya, and his wife named Haimavatī.
8.2
Her daughter, matching her in virtues, by name Mandodarī,
endowed with fresh youth and wide-eyed, was seen by Maya.
8.3
Falling into thought in a moment, having summoned his ministers quickly, [he said:]
"Now, to whom shall I give the maiden? Answer this upon my asking."
8.4
Many Vidyādharas rich in might were suggested by the ministers;
then another said: "The excellent maiden is suitable for Indra."
8.5
Then Maya said to those prime ministers skilled in the science of polity:
"My own inclination, indeed, is that the maiden should be given to the Ten-faced One.
8.6
He is the possessor of thousands of Vidyās, of matchless might and valor, handsome,
born of a splendid lineage, and preeminent in virtues by far."
8.7
The ministers agreed: "Thus it is, O lord, as you have indicated!
Let the auspicious undertaking be made; do not delay us."
8.8
At an auspicious lagna, karaṇa, and conjunction, taking the maiden, accompanied by his entire retinue,
Maya set out through the vault of heaven toward the city of the Ten-faced One.
8.9
Traveling through the sky, in the midst of a terrifying forest,
he saw a delightful city with excellent, lofty ramparts.
8.10
In the middle of Sarvāvarta, Balāhaka, Sammeta, and Dhāvaka
was that terrifying great forest where the city, resembling a city of the gods, was situated.
8.11
Beside that city, having descended with his army,
Maya saw a delightful mansion resembling an autumn cloud.
8.12
Maya entered the mansion; then he saw a maiden there alone.
And she was asked: "Whose daughter are you? Or whose is this great mansion?"
8.13
She said: "My brother is named the Ten-faced One, and I am Candranakhā;
I have been placed here for the protection of the sword Candrahāsa."
8.14
Just then the Ten-faced One, having gone to Meru, praised the caitya-temples,
and returning, arrived at that very house.
8.15
Having exchanged greetings, Maya together with the ministers of the Ten-faced One—
Mārīca, Vajramadhya, Gaganataṭin, and Vajranetra—
8.16
Marudutsa, Ugrasena, the wise Sāraṇa, the minister Sugo,
and others like them were overjoyed upon seeing the ten-faced one.
8.17
Having bowed down in humility, the ministers said: “Listen to our words,
O Ten-faced One! Listen with focused mind to this matter:
8.18
The sovereign over heavenly music on the southern ridge of Mount Vaitāḍhya,
a heroic Vidyādhara king, named Maya,
8.19
has brought his own daughter of distinguished beauty for you, O mine of virtues!
Accompanied by a large troop of warriors, he has quickly arrived right here.”
8.20
Hearing these words, the ten-faced one approached the Jina temple;
having performed worship, he joyfully paid homage to the supreme Jina.
8.21
Right there, amid an extraordinary ritual delighting kinsmen and retainers,
the unmatched wedding took place on earth.
8.22
With her, the ten-faced one, his limbs thrilling with delight, arrived at the city of Svayambhā,
feeling as though supreme prosperity had come from the entire universe.
8.23
Then King Maya set out for his own city along with his retinue,
bearing both the sorrow and joy born of separation from his daughter.
8.24
She, the wide-eyed Mandodarī, became his foremost chief queen;
infatuated with her virtues, he did not even heed the passage of time.
8.25
There, wishing to display the power and majesty of his Vidyādhara sciences,
his mind resolved with energy, he performed manifold feats.
8.26
Remaining one, he assumed many forms and approached all the young maidens;
like the sun he produced heat, or like the moon he radiated moonlight.
8.27
Like fire he emitted flames, or like a cloud suddenly arisen he showered rain;
like the wind he shook the mountain, or suddenly assumed the state of the king of gods.
8.28
He clearly became an ocean, in an instant an intoxicated lordly elephant, and then an excellent steed;
far off, then immediately close, in an instant he became invisible.
8.29
He assumed an immense form, and in an instant again attained subtlety;
thus disporting himself, he reached the supreme cloud-mountain.
8.30
And there he saw a pool, adorned with ripples of pure, clear water,
covered with white and blue water-lilies, resounding with the sweet humming of bees.
8.31
And there he saw six thousand maidens sporting,
daughters of Vidyādharas, bearing the splendour of beauty.
8.32
They too saw that prince, adorned with an excellent necklace and diadem,
mounted on an aerial chariot, imitating the sporting of the king of gods.
8.33
Thus they said: “If this [man], who brings delight to the mind and eyes,
does not become our husband, then this birth of ours is in vain!”
8.34
The daughter of Surasundara, a maiden named Padmāvatī,
whose face resembled an excellent lotus, appeared like Śrī dwelling in a lotus abode.
8.35
Another was the daughter of Budha, a girl born from the womb of Manovegā,
named Aśokalatā, radiant as a flowering creeper.
8.36
The daughter of King Kanaka, born from the womb of Queen Sandhyā,
with a complexion like lightning, was a maiden named Vidyutprabhā.
8.37
Thus many maidens, endowed with beauty and youth,
leaving their water-sports, gazed upon that excellent man.
8.38
Then the ten-faced one, according to the Gandharva rite, joyfully
married those distinguished maidens endowed with beauty and virtues.
8.39
Having gone with great haste, a chamberlain then
reported to Amarasundara the excellent marriage of the maidens as it had occurred:
8.40
“O lord, some hero, deeming the three worlds to be empty, as it were,
and disregarding fear of adversaries, sports among the maidens!”
8.41
Hearing these words, the great king Surasundara became enraged;
the lord of a multitude of chariots, he armed himself along with Kanaka and Budha.
8.42
Then that great-spirited one went out against him, equipped with manifold vehicles;
he advanced through the sky, radiant with the glitter of weapons.
8.43
Seeing the army advancing through the expanse of the sky, the maidens said:
“O ten-faced one! Flee swiftly, save your life which is so hard to attain!”
8.44
Hearing their words and seeing the enemy army close by,
then the ten-faced one spoke, having smiled haughtily:
8.45
“What can be done to Garuḍa, even if many crows assemble?
Does not the lion strike an elephant bearing the scent of rut?”
8.46
Knowing his intent, [the maidens said]: “If you deem yourself so mighty, O lord,
then, O protector, spare our own fathers and brothers!”
8.47
Having spoken these words, seated in his aerial chariot he flew up into the sky;
then, thirsting for the relish of battle, he quickly turned toward them.
8.48
Meanwhile, the whole army—with chariots, lordly elephants, cavalry, and infantry—
surged forward and engaged the ten-faced one in the midst of battle.
8.49
Over him the enraged sky-farers released a shower of weapons,
like rain-bearing clouds pouring down torrents upon an excellent mountain.
8.50
The capable ten-faced one, having warded off the mass of weapons in battle,
then discharged the Tamas weapon, dark as a thick mass of collyrium.
8.51
Having rendered the Vidyādhara kings and their entire host motionless,
he then bound them with serpent-nooses resembling the staff of Yama.
8.52
At the plea of the new brides, the Vidyādharas with their retinues were released;
joyfully, they again celebrated the supreme festive marriage.
8.53
When the wedding festivities of those excellent maidens had lasted three days,
the Vidyādhara kings departed to their respective abodes.
8.54
Then, accompanied by his new brides, the ten-faced one, endowed with supreme glory,
arrived at the city of Svayambhā, delighted and greeted with joy by his kinfolk.
8.55
Now in Kumbhapura there was a renowned king named Mahodara;
his daughter was Taḍinmālā, born of [Queen] Surūpanayanā.
8.56
Endowed with exquisite beauty and youth, with eyes like the petals of a lotus blossomed by sunbeams,
and possessed of manifold virtues, she became the wife of Kumbhakarṇa.
8.57
Right there in Kumbhanagara, someone affectionately uttered the name
while looking at the excellent maiden; therefore he is known as Kumbhakarṇa.
8.58
Steadfast, attached to love of dharma, proficient in all arts and scriptures—
otherwise, in games, food, and drink, he was considered low only through foolishness.
8.59
His food too was pure, sweet-smelling, fragrant, and exquisitely prepared;
sleep occurred only at the proper time; the rest [of his life] was devoted to dharma.
8.60
People ignorant of the ultimate truth, whose minds are inclined towards sin
and skilled in walking the path to hell, concoct perverse meanings.
8.61
Situated on the southern ridge was the city of Jyotiḥprabha; there ruled a king,
the heroic Viśuddhakamala; Nandavatī was his wife.
8.62
Their daughter, lotus-like, obtained Prince Bibhīṣaṇa as her husband;
suited to him in youth and virtues, she clung to him as Rati to Kāma.
8.63
As time passed, an excellent son was born to Mandodarī, / who in beauty was like Indra; therefore his name was Indrajit.
8.64
In this manner, in due course, a second son was born, Meghavāhana. / A feast for the eyes, the prince grew, delighting his kinsmen.
8.65
Thus in the city of Svayaṁprabhāpura, the noble princes, sons of Ratnaśravas, / enjoyed worldly pleasures like gods in the divine realm.
8.66
Marching forth, Bhānukarṇa forcefully entered the territory belonging to Dhanada, / and seized his elephants, horses, jewels of women, and all else.
8.67
Learning of the humiliation of his own land, Vaiśramaṇa became enraged; / he sent a messenger endowed with eloquent words to Sumālin.
8.68
Having gone and bowed down to Sumālin and Daśamukha, the messenger / then began to declare what was spoken by his lord and master:
8.69
"Thus speaks Vaiśramaṇa, whose prowess is famed throughout the three worlds: / 'O Sumālin, you are of noble birth, eminent, and versed in statecraft;
8.70
being of such a kind, it is not fitting for you to attempt this— / that you are destroying my land by means of Kumbhakarṇa!
8.71
Or have you forgotten? Do you not remember when, before the eyes of all the night-wanderers, / Mālin was slain in the midst of battle by Indra?
8.72
Indeed, like a frog not knowing the danger of battle with Indra, / you play in the mouth of a serpent, jagged with poisonous fangs!
8.73
Even with the death of Mālin, peace did not come to you who act unrighteously; / you plan the slaughter of all your remaining kin as well, of this there is no doubt.
8.74
If you do not restrain this foolish youth, / I myself shall restrain him with heavy fetters and cast him into prison!
8.75
Leaving the city of Pātāla-alaṅkāra, you have remained [here] for a long time; / O Sumālin, do you wish to enter the bowels of the earth once again?
8.76
O night-wanderer, if I or Indra become enraged with anger towards you, / there is no protection or refuge for you anywhere in the three worlds.'"
8.77
Hearing these words, the enraged Daśamukha said to the messenger: / "Who is this Vaiśramaṇa? And who indeed is called Indra?
8.78
You enjoy our city that has come down through our lineage! / O Vaiśramaṇa, abandon it quickly if you desire your own life!
8.79
He who wages battle against me is a crow acting like a hawk, / or a foolish jackal acting like a lion, an enemy to his own servants and kin!
8.80
Hey messenger, who utter such insults, / with my sword I will strike off your head onto the ground like a palm fruit!"
8.81
Having spoken thus, extremely enraged, he suddenly drew his excellent sword; / as he sprang toward the messenger, he was stopped by the warrior Bibhīṣaṇa:
8.82
"O lord, by killing this base man, a mere envoy delivering the words of another, / fame does not come to noble heroes.
8.83
What is the fault of a servant who has presently sold his own body? / O lord, his speech proceeds like that of one possessed by a piśāca."
8.84
While Daśamukha was being calmed by Bibhīṣaṇa with salutations, / the messenger was seized by the feet and cast out by others.
8.85
Struck, beaten, and insulted, the messenger returned to his own lord / and related all that he had experienced and what Daśamukha had said:
8.86
"He does not restrain his younger brother, nor does he heed what you said; / on the contrary, the ten-faced one chooses only war!"
8.87
Hearing the messenger's words, Vaiśramaṇa's fury blazed forth with wrath; / eager for battle, he marched out with a mighty army of warriors.
8.88
Mounted on chariots, horses, and elephants, holding swords, shields, spears, and javelins in their hands, / those Yakṣa warriors arrived at Mount Guñjavara.
8.89
Hearing that Vaiśramaṇa had arrived, Daśamukha, fierce in battle, / marched out accompanied by warriors led by Bhānukarṇa.
8.90
Mounted on rutting elephants, on chariots, and some on excellent steeds, / those champions of Daśamukha reached Mount Guñjavara.
8.91
Seeing the enemy host, those Yakṣa warriors let out joyous roars; / springing forward, they advanced fully equipped with various weapons.
8.92
The sound of war drums from both armies, the trumpeting of elephants, and the neighing of horses / began to spread, striking terror into cowardly men.
8.93
Then, rejoicing, the champions in both armies began to clash, / arrayed in fastened armor, with weapons and shields well displayed.
8.94
Then battle broke out upon Mount Guñjavara / between the two deployed armies of Vaiśramaṇa and Daśamukha.
8.95
As arrows, iron bolts, spears, darts, and dread lances were hurled, / along with discus-weapons and double-edged swords, the courtyard of the sky was suddenly veiled.
8.96
Charioteers fought with charioteers, those mounted on elephants clashed with elephant-riders, / and horsemen fought alongside warriors clinging to horses.
8.97
Rushing forward with swords, clubs, and discuses, / the heroes struck one another, dedicated to their masters' causes.
8.98
As they fought in the forefront of battle with blows resembling claps of thunder, / in a mere moment there arose the spectacle of dancing headless trunks.
8.99
Then the army of the Rākṣasas was suddenly whirled about like a whirlpool; / seeing the Yakṣa warriors gain the upper hand in the fight, Daśamukha himself—
8.100
holding a firm bow in his hand, discharging showers of arrows, / struck the Yakṣa warriors with grievous blows, turning them to flight.
8.101
There was not a single excellent chariot, elephant, horse, or foot-soldier in the Yakṣa army / that was not pierced by the arrows released from the fingertips of the ten-faced one.
8.102
Seeing Rāvaṇa advancing toward him in the midst of battle, / intense affection for his kinsman arose within the Yakṣa king.
8.103
Overcome with spiritual urgency, just as Bāhubali in the great war of old, / he began to reflect: "Fie on dwelling in worldly existence!
8.104
Puffed up with excessive pride, deluded by sensory objects, I have undertaken such an act / meant to slaughter my own kin and bringing disgrace upon me in the world!
8.105
O Daśānana! Listen to my words with an attentive mind: / Do not perform sinful karma for the sake of transitory royal splendor!
8.106
You and I, O Rāvaṇa, are sons of sisters born of the same womb; / battle between kinsmen is not fitting at all!
8.107
Committing slaughter of living beings out of thirst for sensory pleasures, deeply greedy, / men devoid of merit go to hell where great torment awaits.
8.108
Having enjoyed kingship for a single day, one incurs sin for a whole year; / for the sake of a mere cord, foolish people ruin a precious gem!"
8.109
"Therefore, abandon attachment and aversion; show your own familial love. / Do not, thirsting for the enjoyment of sensual pleasures, strike your own limbs!"
8.110
Hearing this speech, the Ten-faced [Rāvaṇa], completely intoxicated by great strength, said: / "O Vaiśramaṇa! The time for hearing the dharma is not upon the battlefield!
8.111
Come into the path of my sword! What is the use of speaking many words? / Or make obeisance, for there is no other refuge for you."
8.112
Then Vaiśramaṇa said to the Ten-faced [Rāvaṇa], turning to face him at the head of battle: / "You, nearing the condition of death, conduct yourself by uttering such things!
8.113
Because I restrained you with sweet words out of familial affection, / you think in your extreme delusion: 'The lord of the Yakṣas is afraid of me!'’
8.114
If indeed you possess the greatness of stubborn arrogance arising from strength, / then strike first, O Ten-faced one! Do not delay us!"
8.115
Then the lord of the Rākṣasas said: "In battle, against an enemy champion who has struck first / my hands do not engage in fight, unless they have made contact with his arms!"
8.116
Enraged, the lord of the Yakṣas showered upon him hundreds of arrows, / appearing like the sun situated in the middle [of the sky] spreading a mass of rays.
8.117
The Ten-faced one, having cut down with crescent-headed arrows the shower of arrows / loosed from Vaiśramaṇa's hand, created a pavilion of arrows in the sky.
8.118
With very sharp arrows released from his bow drawn to the ear, / the bow was cleaved in two, and moreover his chariot was pulverized.
8.119
Having mounted another chariot and seized a bow, with hundreds of excellent arrows / the Ten-mouthed one cut the armour that was upon the body of Dhanada.
8.120
Then, struck in the chest by Rāvaṇa in the battle with a bhindipāla equivalent to Yama's staff, / Dhanada fell into a swoon.
8.121
Seeing him despondent, a lamentation of pitiful crying arose at once / in the Yakṣa army, while satisfaction arose among the Rākṣasa warriors.
8.122
Meanwhile, the servants on the battlefield, having picked up Vaiśramaṇa and placed him / upon a palanquin carried by good men, quickly brought him to the Yakṣa city.
8.123
And the Ten-mouthed one, knowing the Yakṣa vassal was broken in battle, / was at once acclaimed with the tumultuous sound of victory cries and musical instruments.
8.124
Dhanada, the king of the Yakṣas, treated with nursing care and medical treatment, / was restored to his natural appearance, possessing a splendour blazing with strength and vigor.
8.125
Then he thought in his mind: "Alas! Deluded by passion for sensual pleasures, / how distressing that such suffering, plunged into deep torment, was experienced by me!
8.126
A benefactor relative is the Ten-faced one to me, by whom, under the pretext of the forefront of battle, / I, bound in the snares of household life, have been swiftly freed!"
8.127
Having realized the essence of the supreme truth, Vaiśramaṇa, taking renunciation / and having practiced austerities and observances, attained the unaging, immortal abode.
8.128
Then to him [Rāvaṇa] was brought that wondrous, divine Puṣpaka vimāna / belonging to Dhanada, blazing with jewels and gems, pleasing to the mind.
8.129
Accompanied by excellent ministers, sons, priests, relatives, and various retinues, / the Ten-faced one, endowed with prosperity, mounted the excellent celestial vehicle.
8.130
His body adorned with excellent necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and a diadem, / with an elevated white parasol and rows of waving chauris and banners,
8.131
his brother named Kumbhakarṇa mounted upon an excellent elephant, / and the second, the lotus-petal-eyed Vibhīṣaṇa, standing in an excellent chariot;
8.132
along with Siṃha, Śarabha, Mārīca, and the one named Gagana-vidyut, / and Vajra, Vajramadhya, and Vajrākṣa, who was wise,
8.133
and Śuka, Sāraṇa, Sunayana, Maya, and many other such / Vidyādhara vassals assembled, surrounded by their own retinues.
8.134
Accompanied by such an army, he soared into the clear, dark sky / and proceeded toward the southern quarter, facing toward the city of Laṅkā.
8.135
Then, having seen the earth rich with groves, pleasure gardens, and forests, / the Ten-faced one, having shown reverence, asked Sumāli:
8.136
"Upon mountains, on riverbanks, in villages and cities, / things resembling pieces of conch shell are seen fallen, like clouds in the autumn season."
8.137
Having bowed to the Siddhas, Sumāli said to the Ten-faced one: "Listen, / dear child! These are not clouds fallen upon the surface of the earth.
8.138
Resembling white clouds, fashioned with the grandeur of ramparts and gateway towers, / these, O son, are seen to be Jina temples studded with jewels.
8.139
The tenth sovereign of Bharata was a wheel-turner named Hariṣeṇa; / by him these many Jina temples were caused to be built on the surface of the earth.
8.140
Make obeisance to these, O Ten-faced one, with a purified mind! / Free of the evil of the sins of the Kali age, you will become [pure]—there is no doubt about this."
8.141
Having bowed to the temple shrines, he asked about the life of Hariṣeṇa: / "For what reason, O lord, were these shrines of the supreme Jinas made?"
8.142
Sumāli, who knew the purpose and methods of the scriptures, said in charming speech: / "O Ten-faced one! With focused mind, listen to how the origin of the Jina temples came about.
8.143
In the region of Bharatakṣetra, in the delightful city of Kāmpilya, / there was a king named Siṃhadhvaja, who had many wealthy vassals.
8.144
His chief queen was named Vaprā, endowed with beauty and good qualities; / her son was Prince Hariṣeṇa, endowed with auspicious marks.
8.145
Now once upon a time, by Vaprā, whose nature was pious, / a chariot of the Jina, variegated with jewels, was ordered to be made in the city in the caitya shrine.
8.146
Another wife of his, named Lakṣmī, endowed with beauty, / was of a mind deluded by false belief, hostile to the doctrine of the supreme Jina.
8.147
She said: 'Let this Brahmā chariot circumambulate first in the middle of the city; / after the eight-day festival, let the Jina chariot proceed around later.'
8.148
Hearing this speech, as if struck on the head by a thunderbolt, / Vaprā, torment-stricken with great sorrow and grief, then made a vow:
8.149
'Only if the chariot of the supreme Jina, surrounded by the noble community, / first circumambulates the city, will there be food [for me]; otherwise, my fasting is resolved!'
8.150
Seeing his mother weeping, her eyes resembling lotus petals, / Hariṣeṇa asked, filled with great agitation: 'Mother, why do you weep, distressed by sorrow?'
8.151
The matter of the circumambulation of the chariot of the supreme Jina was told to him by his mother; / having thought about it, he fell into a great distress of grief:
8.152
'Both mother and father are declared in the world to be supreme elders; / nor do I wish to act contrary to their people or cause them even the slightest pain.
8.153
Nor am I capable of seeing my mother tormented by much sorrow and grief. / Having abandoned my own palace, I shall enter the forest devoid of people.'
8.154
Then, having departed from the city at night when people were asleep, / he entered the great forest, teeming with dense trees and wild beasts.
8.155
Wandering there, Harisena was seen by ascetics; / seated upon an offered seat, he took food of fruits and roots.
8.156
In the city of Campā at that time, King Janamejaya of widespread fame / was besieged by King Kāla with his entire army.
8.157
King Janamejaya also marched out from the city, rich in armed forces; / then, turning face to face, he set about fighting with Kāla.
8.158
While the battle raged, through an underground tunnel constructed earlier / his wife Nāgavatī went to the forest together with her daughter.
8.159
Having arrived before at that very hermitage of the ascetics, / Nāgavatī stayed together with her daughter, passing the time.
8.160
And seeing Harisena, that maiden full of lovely youth, / gazing upon him, was never sated, pierced by the arrows of the Flower-Weaponed god.
8.161
That princess was told by her mother: "Remember the words spoken of old! / Girl, you of beautiful body shall become the wife of a cakravartin!"
8.162
Looking upon her, Harisena too, his limbs pierced by the arrows of Madana, / thought: "When will this lovely maiden become my wife?"
8.163
Realizing that the maiden was consumed with affectionate passion, / the ascetics drove the prince, Harisena, away from the hermitage.
8.164
Harisena too, constantly remembering that maiden's / wealth of beauty, youth, and virtues, found no sleep day or night.
8.165
Neither on a seat nor in bed, neither in village nor in a mind-delighting city, / nor in an excellent park or palace did he find peace in separation from her.
8.166
Pondering thus: "If I obtain that maiden, / then all of Bharata-realm is enjoyed indeed—there is no doubt."
8.167
"Then in villages and in cities, on riverbanks and on mountain peaks, / I shall at once cause temples of the supreme Jina to be built!"
8.168
With mind set on that, his thoughts absorbed in her, wandering in due course / over the earth adorned with villages, mines, and towns, he reached the city of Sindhunada.
8.169
At that time the young women of the city, having gone out to an excellent park, / gazed at the noble prince Harisena with unblinking eyes.
8.170
Just then an enraged elephant rushed toward those fair-bodied maidens, / its rut-fluid flowing, surrounded by swarms of gracefully hovering bees.
8.171
Seeing that rutted, trumpeting great elephant approaching, / all the young women fled, bewildered and distraught with fear.
8.172
Seeing the young women crying out in fear of the elephant, / the noble-minded Harisena, his heart moved with compassion, approached it.
8.173
Realizing the elephant was agitated, the townspeople ran about in haste, / and the king too, standing on the palace roof, began to watch.
8.174
Then [Harisena] said to the noble elephant: "What offense have these young women committed against you? / Hey! Come face to face with me, do not delay!"
8.175
Leaving the group of women, the elephant, skilled in swift and darting movement, / then rushed straight toward him with fierce and violent fury.
8.176
Tightly wrapped in his upper garment, Harisena then, with a flash like lightning, / stepped upon its tusk and mounted it effortlessly like a swan.
8.177
Through various movements fascinating to the mind and eye, according to the elephant treatises, / by pressing with restless feet and striking with the palms of his hands,
8.178
Having broken the surge of its strength and pride, making its steps faltering and slack, / the noble one mastered the elephant, rendering it harmless like a serpent drawn of venom.
8.179
Then, seizing it by the ear, mounted upon that immense noble elephant, / he spoke gentle guidance [to it], so that it would not do this again.
8.180
Then, entering the excellent city, seen there by hundreds of men and women, / resembling the form of the Flower-Weaponed god, he arrived at the king's palace.
8.181
The king, standing on the terrace of the palace and seeing him mounted on the noble elephant, / thought: "He is indeed some supreme man, there is no doubt."
8.182
Then the king gave him one hundred of his noble daughters; / overjoyed, he performed the auspicious wedding with great splendour.
8.183
Enjoying pleasures of the senses with them like a lord of gods in heaven, / Harisena stayed there, yet still he remembered Madanāvalī.
8.184
Then, at night, while he was sleeping comfortably on a precious couch, / he was abducted by Vegavatī, an excellent young Vidyādhara woman.
8.185
When his sleep ended, seeing the woman, he clenched a tight fist, / stretched forward, and asked: "For what reason are you abducting me?"
8.186
She said: "Listen, noble king! There is a city named Sūryodaya; / the king of the Vidyādharas, Indradhanu, dwells there.
8.187
His wife is Śrīkāntā, and Jayacandā was born from her womb. / Averse to men, O lord, she constantly disregards her father and mother.
8.188
Whichever lord of kings was drawn on canvas and shown to her with brotherly affection, / in the whole of Bharata-realm not one was dear to her heart.
8.189
Then your own likeness was painted on canvas and shown to her; / her limbs filled with the arrows of Madana, she suddenly fell into lovesickness.
8.190
[Saying:] 'If I do not enjoy love's pleasures with this distinguished one, / fire shall be my death; yet I make a vow against any other man!'
8.191
Before her, O master, a difficult vow was undertaken by me: / 'If I do not bring him quickly, then I shall enter the flame of fire!'
8.192
By your grace, O lord, I now preserve my life; / I fulfill at once my great vow without obstacle."
8.193
Having taken him to the city of Sūryodaya, he was presented to the king; / the wedding ceremony of the prince with the maiden took place.
8.194
Having fulfilled her noble vow, Vegavatī was honored with wealth; / elevated in esteem, she became renowned in the world.
8.195
Hearing of her wedding, two of her maternal cousins grew enraged: / extremely fierce Vidyādharas named Gaṅgādhara and Mahīdhara.
8.196
With a large troop of warriors, horses and elephants armored and adorned with banners, / seeking a battle, they arrived at the city of Sūryodaya.
8.197
Hearing that the enemy warriors, rich in armed forces, had arrived, / Harisena, accompanied by the Vidyādharas, marched out swiftly against them.
8.198
A battle took place, resonant with drums beaten under heavy blows, / with falling elephants and horses, and the spectacle of dancing headless trunks.
8.199
In the enemy army there was no elephant, no warrior, and no horse / that was not pierced by Harisena at the front of battle with excellent arrows.
8.200
Seeing their army dismayed and scattered in the midst of battle, / broken, both Gaṅgādhara and Mahīdhara fled.
First 200 of 288 passages. Read on
Linked texts (1)
- Paümacariya — Vimalasūri, Māhārāṣṭrī Prakrit