[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Jain Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina) › [Post-canonical works (philosophy, yoga, karma theory, narrative, poetry, history)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post) › [Narrative literature (kathās, kathākośas, caritas)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha) › [Surasuṃdarīcariya](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya) › [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt) › 15 # The Story of Surasundarī 15 English (machine translation) 15 - **Language:** English ### [15.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.1) Now, that Ambarīṣa demon who killed the ascetics, delighted in mind, always took immense satisfaction in tormenting the denizens of hell. ### [15.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.2) Having bound sinful karma, falling from there, he was conceived in the womb of an impoverished outcaste woman; through her taking various bitter and alkaline drinks, ### [15.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.3) his body was destroyed, and having experienced wrathful meditation, dying into hell, he was reborn in the first earth with a lifespan of seven palyopamas. ### [15.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.4) Having experienced intense suffering, at the exhaustion of his lifespan, having passed away from there, he was born here in Bharata as a brāhmaṇa's son named Durgata. ### [15.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.5) Afflicted by the misery of poverty, having taken the initiation of wandering mendicants and practiced ignorant austerities, filled with intense rage, he died from there. ### [15.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.6) And he became a great king named Kālabāṇa belonging to Dharaṇendra, with a lifespan of slightly more than a palyopama, endowed with divine great supernatural powers. ### [15.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.7) There too, having remembered the enmity, passion-ridden, he applied mental focus with perverse clairvoyance in order to know the whereabouts of both of them. ### [15.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.8) Because his knowledge did not reach that far, although he repeatedly applied his mental focus, those two residing in the second heaven were not seen by him there. ### [15.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.9) Thus time passed, O king. Then, having enjoyed divine pleasures for the remainder of his life—a little less than eight palyopamas— ### [15.10](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.10) that god Vibhuprabha, residing in the Īśāna heaven, fell from there and was born as your son in the womb of Queen Kamalāvatī. ### [15.11](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.11) To fulfill her pregnancy-longing, wandering in the city mounted on an elephant in the seventh month, O best of men, this Queen Kamalāvatī— ### [15.12](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.12) Meanwhile, applying his supernormal perception, he was seen by Kālabāṇa, / who was filled with rage upon seeing his former enemy resting in the womb. ### [15.13](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.13) Approaching swiftly, he suddenly possessed the elephant; / routing the people, he made it dash forward at great speed. ### [15.14](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.14) When you dismounted by catching hold of a banyan tree's branch, O best of men! / the elephant, possessed by that very one, flew up into the sky. ### [15.15](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.15) "Stricken by the blow of the queen's jewel-adorned hand, having dropped the elephant, / my enemy, fallen from the sky along with his mother, will die!" ### [15.16](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.16) Thinking thus, O best of men, having accomplished his aim, that god went to his abode. / The queen too, mounted on the elephant, fell from the sky onto the shore of a lake. ### [15.17](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.17) And having dismounted, she met the caravan leader Śrīdatta from there; / she set out together with the caravan toward the city of Kusāgra, O lord of men! ### [15.18](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.18) When the caravan was raided, the queen fell into the forest there; / her son was born, and was seen by the god applying his supernormal perception. ### [15.19](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.19) Then once again, remembering the enmity, that cruel-natured god, / overcome with terrible wrath, swiftly arrived beside the queen. ### [15.20](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.20) "Though looking intently for a long time, O villain, you have finally been seen! / I shall bring an end to our enmity—now experience the fruit of your misdeeds!" ### [15.21](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.21) Speaking thus, O best of men, from the lap of the sleeping Kamalāvatī / that son of yours was abducted by the god Kālabāṇa. ### [15.22](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.22) And having seized that infant, the god, with defiled thoughts, pondered: / "Crushing this enemy with my hands, I will kill him right now. ### [15.23](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.23) Shall I cut him into pieces and make an offering to the directions? Or else / shall I smash him against a rock, or should I cut him into sesame-sized bits? ### [15.24](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.24) Or rather, if that is done, there would be no long-lasting agony / through instant death for this infant of unmanifest mind. ### [15.25](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.25) Therefore, having gone to some desolate place, I shall abandon him; / overcome by thirst and hunger, he will die by himself in agony." ### [15.26](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.26) Having resolved thus, he abandoned him on a lonely rock slab of Mount Vaitāḍhya; / that son of yours, O best of men! And the god too reached his own abode. ### [15.27](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.27) O best of men! Let that be; meanwhile I shall relate another story: / Falling from Īśāna heaven, Vidyutprabha \[was born\] here on Mount Vaitāḍhya. ### [15.28](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.28) In the delightful, excellent city of Ratnasañcaya on the southern ridge, / he was born to Bakulavatī as the son of the Vidyādhara Pavanagati, ### [15.29](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.29) named Cittavega. Meanwhile, the goddess Candrarekhā too, / having fallen, was born in the city of Śrīkuñjarāvarta. ### [15.30](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.30) To the beloved wife of the Vidyādhara Amitagati, Citramālā, / she became an exceedingly dear daughter, named Kanakamālā. ### [15.31](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.31) And meanwhile, he who was previously mentioned as the uncle of Sulōcanā and the others, / named Vasudatta—he too, having wandered through saṃsāra, ### [15.32](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.32) was born on Mount Vaitāḍhya in Gaṅgāvarta / as the son of Madanāvalī and the Vidyādhara king Śrīgandhavāhana, ### [15.33](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.33) named Nabhavāhana. Then that Kanakamālā was chosen \[for him\], / but Cittavega abducted her through trickery and married her. ### [15.34](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.34) That Vidyādhara was bound by Nabhavāhana with the Nāgiṇī spell; / and weeping, Kanakamālā too was brought to his own city. ### [15.35](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.35) He desired to sport with her, who had attained a different state of existence and was unwilling— / behold, O best of men! Even with his sister, through the fault of ignorance! ### [15.36](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.36) Thus, O best of men, in this saṃsāra, by living beings blinded by ignorance, / even a sister is craved, or a daughter, a daughter-in-law, or a mother. ### [15.37](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.37) A sister also becomes a wife, a father too a son, a daughter too a mother; / where even a wife is a mother—fie upon dwelling in saṃsāra! ### [15.38](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.38) And this, O best of men, was formerly explained to you by Dhanadeva himself. / Suddenly, she was brought back again to Cittavega by a god, ### [15.39](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.39) together with manifold magic spells; then he became a Vidyādhara sovereign; / together with his beloved, he enjoyed worldly pleasures there on Mount Vaitāḍhya. ### [15.40](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.40) The god Candrārjuna too, having fallen, was born on the northern ridge / in the city of Caramacañcā, named Cittagati. ### [15.41](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.41) And the goddess Candraprabhā became Priyaṅgumañjarī; / she became his wife, and together with her he enjoyed human pleasures. ### [15.42](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.42) And to him the northern ridge was given, together with magic spells, by Cittavega / out of abundant affection; thus they lived on Mount Vaitāḍhya. ### [15.43](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.43) Owing to the habituation of a previous birth, for those two endowed with deep affection, / much time passed as they enjoyed worldly pleasures. ### [15.44](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.44) Then once upon a time, accompanied by his beloved Kanakamālā, / that Vidyādhara Cittavega set out to worship at Mount Aṣṭāpada. ### [15.45](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.45) Having reverently worshipped the images of the Jinas made by King Bharata there, / upon returning, he saw that child there, ### [15.46](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.46) illuminating the bower of the Vaitāḍhya forest with the radiance of his own body, / adorned with a ring tied around his neck, a delight to the eyes. ### [15.47](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.47) Seeing that jewel set in the ring, he was astonished, / and said: "My dear! That is the divine jewel given by the eminent god, ### [15.48](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.48) through whose power I did not die then, even though encircled by serpents! / So by whom was this tied around the neck of this child? ### [15.49](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.49) Or rather, surely it was tied by his mother as a protective charm as soon as he was born; / and then, abducted by someone, he was abandoned here. ### [15.50](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.50) Therefore take him, my dear! Childless as you are, let this one be your son! / Surely it must be that very celestial soul who has been born here." ### [15.51](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.51) Taking him, O lord of men, both reached their own city; / having performed the birth-celebrations, they announced to all the people: ### [15.52](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.52) "Now a son has been born to Kanakamālā, whose pregnancy had been kept secret." / At the proper time, his name was given as Makaraketu. ### [15.53](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.53) Thus your son grew up in the mansion of the Vidyādhara king, O lord of men! / Meanwhile, his goddess Svayaṁprabhā, falling from heaven, ### [15.54](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.54) was born as this Surasundarī, O great king! / Then, growing up by degrees, she too attained youth. ### [15.55](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.55) The Vidyādhara by whom she was abducted then and taken to the Ratna Island / was her father Haridatta in the birth as Sulōcanā. ### [15.56](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.56) Behold thus the monstrous nature of worldly existence, a mine of suffering, O lord of men! / where a father desires to enjoy pleasures with his own daughter. ### [15.57](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.57) Assuming the form of a piśāca, by that very god Kālabāṇa / his magic spells were taken away and your son was cast into the ocean. ### [15.58](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.58) And while he, filled with malicious intent, abducted Surasundarī / through the sky, just then, O best of men, his time of falling arrived. ### [15.59](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.59) And when he fell, she dropped from the sky here into the park; / but your son reached the ship of Dhanadeva. ### [15.60](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.60) When the shipwreck occurred, having obtained a wooden plank in the midst of the ocean, / he was seen by Priyamvada, and then taken by him to his own place. ### [15.61](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.61) "That which you asked has thus been declared, O lord of kings! / But he will surely meet you this very day at eventide." ### [15.62](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.62) Hearing the sūri's words, the king and Queen Surasundarī / attained great joy, and the entire assembly felt spiritual urgency. ### [15.63](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.63) Then the king said, "Until the reunion with my son, / I shall practice austerity in your presence to make my human birth fruitful." ### [15.64](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.64) In the meantime, Dhanadeva bowed down and asked the teacher Supratiṣṭha: / "Back then, when the settlement was destroyed in the fierce battle, ### [15.65](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.65) and the Bhīla warriors were slain and scattered by Kanakavatī's army, / what happened to you, or how did you attain the state of a monk?" ### [15.66](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.66) The teacher said: "Listen: fighting on the battlefield back then, / my body pierced by a shower of arrows, I fell to the ground. ### [15.67](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.67) Seen by Cittavega who had arrived in that place, / that Vidyādhara, full of affection, carried me away to Vaitāḍhya. ### [15.68](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.68) Instantly, through the power of herbs, he healed my wounds; / and remembering my past favour, he gave me an excellent vidyā. ### [15.69](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.69) Named Prajñapti, it was mastered by me there according to rule; / thereafter, accompanied by Vidyādharas, I came to Siddhārthapura. ### [15.70](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.70) Having expelled Surabhi together with Kanakavatī from the country, / I then became king in Siddhārthapura, O Dhanadeva! ### [15.71](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.71) Having protected the kingdom for several tens of millions of years, / and having consecrated my own son Jayasena in the realm, ### [15.72](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.72) at the feet of the omniscient one Ghanavāhana, seized with intense spiritual urgency, / I went forth as an ascetic together with five hundred noble princes. ### [15.73](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.73) Having mastered the conduct of a sādhu, I gradually became a knower of the twelve aṅgas; / then the omniscient one Ghanavāhana consecrated me in the post of sūri. ### [15.74](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.74) And having practiced śaileśī meditation and destroyed the remaining four karmas, / that teacher of ours attained nirvāṇa, O worthy Dhanadeva!" ### [15.75](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.75) While Supratiṣṭhasūri was thus recounting his own story, / a Vidyādhara descended from the sky. ### [15.76](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.76) Having bowed to the sūri, he said with humble devotion: / "I have come from Vaitāḍhya to bring you joyous news: ### [15.77](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.77) Having mastered all the vidyās, your son named Makaraketu / has been consecrated in his own rank by Cittavega, who intends to take monastic vows. ### [15.78](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.78) Accompanied by a multitude of Vidyādharas, he will come to worship your feet / right here in this city, this very day: thus I announce what is pleasing to you." ### [15.79](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.79) Hearing his words, his hair bristling with joy, / the king gave him the ornament from his own body and abundant wealth. ### [15.80](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.80) Rejoicing, the queen performed the auspicious wave-offering for the Vidyādhara, / and Surasundarī attained joy that could not be contained in her limbs. ### [15.81](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.81) Having bowed to the sūri, the king entered the city with his retinue; / then he commanded the city-guards: "Clean the city at once! ### [15.82](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.82) Quickly removing the garbage, clear all the streets; / sprinkle them with water mingled with musk and saffron! ### [15.83](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.83) Prepare flawless flower-offerings mixed with fresh red lotuses; / create splendid beauty in the main markets that covers the sky! ### [15.84](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.84) At every house, fasten festoons of diverse forms; / decorate the rows of white mansions with various colours! ### [15.85](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.85) Set golden pitchers filled with pure water at the doorways; / raise manifold banners at the doors of the palaces! ### [15.86](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.86) Erect platforms with excellent flower-garlands along this path, / and paint swastikas with yellow pigment, white mustard, and dūrvā grass! ### [15.87](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.87) Perform and have the citizens perform other such things!" / Commanded thus by the king, they began doing so with special diligence. ### [15.88](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.88) While servants were moving to and fro amid the great bustle, / Priyamvadā quickly arrived at the king's inner apartments. ### [15.89](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.89) Seen by Surasundarī, she was embraced with limbs filled with joy; / seated on an offered seat, she was then asked about previous events. ### [15.90](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.90) Priyamvadā said: "First you were carried off by that / Vetāla, and I fell fainting to the ground. ### [15.91](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.91) Then, after a moment, when the faint passed, burning with grief, / \[I cried:\] 'Alas, where has my sister gone? Why has that brother not returned?' ### [15.92](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.92) Reflecting, 'Surely that Piśāca must have done something awful,' / and thinking such thoughts, I then began searching. ### [15.93](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.93) Then, having wandered all around that Ratnadvīpa, moving through the sky, / I roamed over the salt ocean, looking for you in many directions. ### [15.94](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.94) Clinging to a wooden plank in the middle of the sea, his body tossed / by the surge of waves, my brother Makaraketu was seen. ### [15.95](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.95) Having lifted him up, I then brought him to a Jina temple; / and being asked, 'How did you fall into the middle of the ocean?', he ### [15.96](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.96) related the whole story: the sight of the Vetāla, the cutting off of his vidyā, and the rest; / and then he also asked me: 'Where is Surasundarī?' ### [15.97](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.97) I also told him: 'Brother, she too was abducted by one in the form of a Piśāca.' / Hearing this, as if struck by a heavy club, he suddenly fainted. ### [15.98](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.98) Though restored by the Vidyādharas standing nearby through cool breezes and the like in many ways, / the prince kept fainting again and again. ### [15.99](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.99) Then the Vidyādharas went and related the matter to our father; / hearing that, weighed down with great sorrow, father too came there. ### [15.100](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.100) Having consoled him with great difficulty, he took the prince to Mount Vaitāḍhya; / then many Vidyādhara youths were commanded by father: ### [15.101](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.101) 'Roaming through the villages, mines, and cities across the six parts of Bharata, / quickly bring news of Surasundarī exactly as it is!' ### [15.102](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.102) Having spoken thus, many Vidyādharas were sent out by father; / and the prince too was diverted by friends at father's command. ### [15.103](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.103) While some days passed for the prince afflicted with grief at the separation from his beloved, / meanwhile, on another day in that city, ### [15.104](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.104) a cāraṇa monk possessing four kinds of knowledge and versed in the twelve aṅgas, / Damaghoṣa by name, arrived at the Sahasramravana grove. ### [15.105](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.105) To pay homage to him, father went out together with the prince; / having paid homage, he sat on the ground together with his retinue. ### [15.106](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.106) Resembling a ship that ferries one across the vast ocean of saṃsāra, / the flawless Dharma began to be expounded by the monk to them: ### [15.107](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.107) "By those who desire the destruction of bodily and mental sufferings, / the gift of fearlessness must be given to living beings through mind, speech, and body. ### [15.108](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.108) Those living beings easily cross over saṃsāra full of the sufferings of old age and death / who always speak true and blameless speech. ### [15.109](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.109) Poverty, sickness, old age, death, sorrow, and the calamities of separation from beloved ones / do not befall those living beings who do not take what is not given. ### [15.110](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.110) Those souls who avoid unchastity with the activities of mind, speech, and body, / with all karmas shaken off, go to the eternal abode. ### [15.111](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.111) Those who never hold possessions, except for the requisites of Dharma, / having crossed the ocean of worldly existence, go to the abode free of old age and death. ### [15.112](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.112) When the monk's Dharma, taught by the supreme Jina, was explained thus by the śramaṇa, / knowing the proper occasion, the prince asked the monk this: ### [15.113](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.113) "Reverend sir! Why was the destruction of my spell performed by that god?" / Then the monk too explained the reason for the enmity to him in full. ### [15.114](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.114) Hearing that monk's words, as he reflected and reasoned, / prince Makaraketu suddenly attained recollection of his past births. ### [15.115](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.115) Remembering his past birth, the prince said: "It is just so! / But reverend sir, having abducted her, where did he release Surasundarī?" ### [15.116](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.116) Then the monk said: "From the hands of that falling god / she dropped down from the sky and fell into the Kusumākara garden. ### [15.117](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.117) O prince, she is now staying in Hastināpura / beside your mother Kamalāvatī." Thereupon the prince spoke: ### [15.118](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.118) "Is he not my father, just as Kanakamālā is my mother?" / Then the monk related the events beginning with his abduction by the god. ### [15.119](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.119) Then King Citravega, his mind inspired by the monk's words, said: / "O prince, do you not remember what you told me back then in the state of being a god? ### [15.120](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.120) 'Abducted by a god who was an enemy from a past birth, / you will grow up in the house of Citravega, lord of the Vidyādharas'? ### [15.121](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.121) That has come to pass. Therefore, my son, master those spells / once more! Cast off sorrow, so that I may install you in my own position. ### [15.122](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.122) Having abandoned the attachment to sense-objects, our minds agitated by wandering in saṃsāra, / we now wish to take the blameless renunciation." ### [15.123](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.123) Thus, O Surasundarī, while his father was speaking, suddenly / Dharaṇendra arrived there to pay homage to Damaghoṣa. ### [15.124](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.124) Beholding Makaraketu, gazing intently at him for a long time, he spoke: / "O prince, do you know? I was your father in a past birth. ### [15.125](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.125) My name was Bhīmaratha, and you were born from Kusumāvalī, / my exceedingly dear son named Kanakaratha. ### [15.126](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.126) When madness arose and you departed together with your wife, / although you were searched for skillfully, you were not found. ### [15.127](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.127) Then, having installed your younger brother Vajraratha on the throne, / my mind filled with spiritual urgency, I took initiation in the presence of the guru. ### [15.128](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.128) Having undertaken renunciation, I became an eminent god in Saudharma / with a life span of seven palyopamas. Then, falling from there, here in Bharata, ### [15.129](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.129) in the excellent city of Campā, I was born as a boy / in the womb of Kusumaśrī, the wife of King Dadhivāhana. ### [15.130](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.130) I was born at the proper time, and my name was made Prabhaṅkara. / Meanwhile, my father, addicted to intoxicating drink, was slain. ### [15.131](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.131) The minister Vimala, desiring the kingdom, seized the realm himself. / Terrified, my mother fled, taking me when I was three months old. ### [15.132](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.132) She reached Vijayapura, to the presence of her brother, King Śaṅkha. / When I attained youth, I went there together with Śaṅkha. ### [15.133](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.133) Having waged war and slain Vimala in the midst of battle, / I then became king in my own realm in Campā. ### [15.134](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.134) The sons of Vimala also fled, and going to the city of Hastiśīrṣa, / they set about serving the king named Jitaśatru. ### [15.135](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.135) Proud of my strength, I used to sport there with elephants; / because of that, my renown spread through all lands: ### [15.136](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.136) 'There is no one equal to Prabhaṅkara, possessed of mighty strength, here in the realm of Bharata, / who holds an enraged rogue elephant with a single arm!' ### [15.137](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.137) Having ruled the kingdom there in Campā for a long time, / awakened in the presence of a good guru, I installed my own son on the throne. ### [15.138](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.138) Then I became a śramaṇa. In the presence of the guru I took such a vow: / 'For the rest of my life, I must take food only every other month.' ### [15.139](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.139) Then once, while wandering, I arrived at Hastiśīrṣa. / On the day of breaking the fast, I entered the city there for alms. ### [15.140](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.140) Then, charged by a furious bull, I fell to the ground. / Again and again I was laughed at by the sons of Vimala of evil deeds: ### [15.141](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.141) 'Where is that strength now, you who took delight only in contending with lordly elephants?' / Speaking thus, they all rushed up at that time to slay me. ### [15.142](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.142) Remembering their feud with my father, they arrived with sticks and stones in hand. / Seeing them, I too, enraged through the fault of ignorance, ### [15.143](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.143) seized a pillar and rushed forward, saying thus: / 'Ha, ha! Can a lion's strength be broken by jackals? ### [15.144](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.144) Even if my body is emaciated, still I cannot be overcome by you! So turn / to face me for a single moment, so that I may send you on the path of your father!' ### [15.145](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.145) Having made them bitten by the earth, out of repentance I undertook fasting; / but out of shame I did not confess that evil deed to the venerable elders. ### [15.146](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.146) Therefore, without having repented, my conduct broken, I died, O prince! / I was born as Dharaṇendra; now that same one has come here. ### [15.147](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.147) Therefore, do not despair: let the spells beginning with Prajñapti, / granted by me to you, be accomplished even without being practiced!" ### [15.148](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.148) Hearing his words, saying "A great favor!", / the prince, lovely with his lotus-like hands folded, fell at Dharaṇendra's feet. ### [15.149](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.149) Accorded great honor by his father together with the multitude of Vidyādharas, / Dharaṇendra, accompanied by his retinue, returned to his own abode. ### [15.150](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.150) Together with the Vidyādharas, with great magnificence, Citravega / as well as Citragati consecrated the prince in his own position. ### [15.151](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.151) Then he became an emperor of the Vidyādharas on Mount Vaitāḍhya; / thereupon all the Vidyādharas gave him their own daughters. ### [15.152](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.152) Then Makaraketu said: "I will not marry other maidens / as long as the daughter of King Naravāhana is not married." ### [15.153](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.153) Then Bhānuvega said: "Going now to the city of Kuśāgra / and requesting \[her from\] Naravāhana, I will choose Surasundarī for you." ### [15.154](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.154) Then Makaraketu said: "Do so quickly! We too, / taking my father's permission, will go to Hastināpura. ### [15.155](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.155) We shall bow to the pair of feet of our parents whom we have not seen before." / When this was said, Bhānuvega flew up through the sky. ### [15.156](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.156) Then King Makaraketu was told by his father: "My son, this very day, / at eventide, at an auspicious hour and astrological moment, ### [15.157](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.157) let the sight of your parents be accomplished." When this was said, / the host of all the Vidyādharas immediately began preparations for the departure. ### [15.158](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.158) "Meanwhile, taking leave of my father, I swiftly came / to your side, O Surasundarī, in order to tell you the news." ### [15.159](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.159) Having heard these words of Priyamvadā, the maidservants went / and reported it to the king; then the king, overjoyed, ### [15.160](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.160) causing great excitement with the sound of musical instruments accompanying excellent songs, / with dances of excellent women, and with various amusements performed, ### [15.161](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.161) set forth from the city mounted on a fine elephant, with a fourfold army, / in all his splendor, to receive his son. ### [15.162](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.162) Meanwhile, the Vidyādhara army, indeed, appeared in the path of the sky, / filled with banners, parasols, and emblems, mounted on diverse vehicles. ### [15.163](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.163) In the midst of it was an aerial car with a throng of Vidyādharas flying in front, / endowed with jeweled pillars and adorned with wonderful, excellent statues. ### [15.164](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.164) Seeing the king before him, the Vidyādhara lord Makaraketu quickly / descended from the sky and fell at his father's feet. ### [15.165](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.165) Then King Amaraketu, embracing his son with affection, / shedding tears of joy, kissed him on the head. ### [15.166](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.166) After speaking with all fittingly and honoring the excellent Vidyādharas, / he entered the city, praised by hundreds of bards. ### [15.167](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.167) The auspicious rites having been performed, the king led him into his own palace; / to the remaining Vidyādharas, excellent dwellings were given as was proper. ### [15.168](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.168) Accompanied by a few Vidyādharas, he was led to the inner quarters by the king; / eager to see his son, he fell at his mother's feet. ### [15.169](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.169) Taking him with tender hands, she placed him on her lap, / embraced him repeatedly, and kissed him on the head. ### [15.170](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.170) Shedding tears of joy, she said: "O son, / your mother's heart must be made of diamond, since it lives on in separation from you!" ### [15.171](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.171) Then Makaraketu said: "O mother, what can be done against the diverse sports of fate? / Since we are subject to others, such sorrow arises." ### [15.172](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.172) Placing him there on a flawless throne inlaid with the luster of gems and jewels / inside a square drawn with very thick pearls, ### [15.173](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.173) auspicious rites were then performed for her son seated there / by the queen, whose hair was bristling with joy at the reunion with her son. ### [15.174](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.174) At that time, there was an indescribable joy for them at the reunion with their son, / which cannot anywhere be compared to the joy of liberation. ### [15.175](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.175) Meanwhile, the Vidyādhara Bhānuvega went to Kusāggapura / and related the entire news to King Naravāhana. ### [15.176](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.176) Naravāhana said: "For this reason she was well guarded; / though they begged for her previously, she was not given to other kings. ### [15.177](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.177) Indeed, on the day of her birth it was prophesied by those endowed with divine knowledge: / 'This maiden will become the wife of a Vidyādhara emperor.' ### [15.178](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.178) Since he gave me life when I was besieged on the Śatruñjaya mountain, / Surasundarī has been given to him by me; what question is there now?" ### [15.179](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.179) He summoned the astrologer and said: "Determine and declare to us / the day and auspicious moment for the wedding, free of all faults." ### [15.180](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.180) He too said: "O best of men! On the third day from today, / in the last watch of the night, is an extremely auspicious moment. ### [15.181](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.181) Another moment endowed with such qualities cannot be found quickly." / Then the king said: "This is very near; how here ### [15.182](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.182) can all the preparations for holding the wedding be made? / Therefore, O Bhānuvega, endure this and tell me: what means can be employed here?" ### [15.183](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.183) Then he replied: "O king, let us go to Hastināpura; / when we have arrived there, everything will indeed be fine." ### [15.184](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.184) Then, in a divine aerial car created by Bhānuvega, accompanied by his retinue, / taking all the wedding equipment suitable for the occasion, ### [15.185](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.185) he arrived in Hastināpura. Meanwhile, Cittagaï and Cittavega, / accompanied by a throng of Vidyādharas, having learned the news, also arrived. ### [15.186](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.186) Then King Amaraketu, having extended full hospitality to them, / had wedding provisions prepared, equipped with much food and drink. ### [15.187](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.187) When the auspicious day arrived, according to the rites handed down in their lineage, / with the citizens rejoicing and endowed with dancing maidens, ### [15.188](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.188) filling the horizon with the deep sound of sounding musical instruments, / their wedding ceremony then took place with great splendor. ### [15.189](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.189) The Vidyādharas were honored by the king with appropriate hospitality, / great gifts were bestowed, and the citizens were fed. ### [15.190](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.190) In all the Jina temples, celebrations were held with supreme reverence; / great worship was paid to the images of the Jinas with garments and other offerings. ### [15.191](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.191) With excellent garments, alms-bowls, blankets, food, and other gifts, / the community of ascetics, pure from all encumbrance, was also honored with supreme devotion. ### [15.192](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.192) Elephants, horses, excellent chariots, villages, mines, towns, cities, and the like / were given there by the king to his feudatories as was fitting. ### [15.193](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.193) Then on another day, the king, with great splendor, accompanied by his retinue / and accompanied by the Vidyādharas, set forth to pay homage to the sūri. ### [15.194](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.194) Having bowed to the sūri and to all the remaining ascetics, / they sat down; then the Dharma taught by the Jina was expounded by the master. ### [15.195](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.195) Then, having bowed to the sūri, Queen Kamalāvatī said this: / "Reverend sir, what sin was committed by me in another life, ### [15.196](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.196) by force of which this most unbearable sorrow caused by separation from my son was suffered?" / Then the omniscient one said: "O beloved of the gods, listen! ### [15.197](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.197) The merchant Ammaḍa in Avarakaṅkā, who was previously described by me, / the father of Maṇḍana and the others, accompanied by his wife Acchuttā— ### [15.198](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.198) he, wandering through a series of births, in the Maru country in the village of Harisaūya, / was born as an outcaste named Ajjuṇa, right here in Bharata. ### [15.199](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.199) Acchuttā too, wandering through births of various forms after that, / was born as the wife of Ajjuṇa, named Bandhusirī. ### [15.200](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15.200) Engaged in agricultural work with mutual affection, time passed for them, / both being compassionate and having by nature slight passions. _First 200 of 251 passages. [Read on](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15)_ ## Linked texts (1) - [Surasuṃdarīcariya](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya.15.1) — Dhaneśvara, Māhārāṣṭrī Prakrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.post.katha.surasundaricariya~en-mt.15) · Pramāṇa