Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.1515

c7.1515

Jīmūtaketu, who was pleased at this generous nature of his son, respected his wish and went with his family to the Malaya mountain and lived there. Mitrāvasu, the son of Viśvāvasu, the King of the Siddhas and Jīmūtavāhana became close friends. One day Jīmūtavāhana was wandering about in the forest when he saw in the middle of a garden a temple dedicated to Devī and a young woman of exquisite beauty, surrounded by her maids, singing hymns and worshipping Devī. Jīmūtavāhana was attracted by her extra-ordinary beauty. Love budded in her heart also. On enquiry it was understood that she was Malayavatī, the sister of Mitrāvasu. After that both of them engaged in a little talk of love-making. Hearing her mother calling, Malayavatī instantly went home. Being fallen head-long in love, Jīmūtavāhana spent the night somehow or other and at dawn reached the temple with a hermit boy. While the hermit boy was consoling Jīmūtavāhana Malayavatī also came there. Jīmūtavāhana and his friend hid behind a tree. She was alone, and since she could not bear separation from her lover she decided to commit suicide and standing at the steps, she said “Devī ! If it is impossible to get that Malayavatī as my husband in this birth, let it be so. But bless me that I may have my wish granted in the next birth at least”. Saying this she tied one end of her upper garment on the tree and tried to commit suicide. Instantly there was an ethereal voice which said, “Daughter, don’t do such rash things. Jīmūtavāhana will become your husband. He will become the emperor of the Vidyādharas also.” Jīmūtavāhana came and untied the knot of the upper garment with his own hands and saved her from death. Her maid appeared and said with delight. “Friend ! you are very lucky. Today I heard what prince Mitrāvasu said to his father Viśvāvasu. Thus he said ‘Father ! Jīmūtavāhana who gave away his own Kalpaka tree for the welfare of others has come to this place. It will bring prosperity to us, if we show our hospitality to this noble guest by giving our Malayavatī to him. It is very difficult to get such a noble man for my sister anywhere else.” The father consented. The prince instantly went to the abode of this gentleman. I think the marriage will take place today. So come, let us go home.”