Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.3417

c9.3417

Once Yaugandharāyaṇa took Udayana to the forest of Lāvāṇaka and stayed there. It was reported to the King of Magadha that the King of Vatsa was drawing near to his kingdom. Fearing an attack from Udayana, the King of Magadha began to think of concluding a treaty with Vatsa. The King of Vatsa used to go for hunting everyday. One day he went to a distant place for hunting, and the minister went to the house of Vāsavadattā and informed her of their plans. Though it was not at all palatable to her, she gave her consent and agreed to help them as it was meant for the well-being of the King and the country. Accordingly, Yaugandharāyaṇa took the guise of an old Brahmin, Vāsavadattā that of a young Brahmin lady and Vasantaka that of a Brahmin celibate with only one eye. They went to the kingdom of Magadha. Rumanvān set fire to the house of Vāsavadattā and spread the rumour that Vāsavadattā and Vasantaka had been burnt to death. Yaugandharāyaṇa, Vāsavadattā and Vasantaka reached Magadha. They got into the capital and saw Padmāvatī sitting in the garden. The old Brahmin conversed with the princess for a while. She enquired about the young woman who was with him. The old Brahmin replied thus :—“She is my daughter Avantikā. Her husband has left the country. I request you to keep her with you till I find him out and bring him here. She may not like to be separated from her people. So let her brother, the celibate, also be here with her.”