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CHAPTER TWO
like a rival of Jisnu (Indra). Subhadrā and Umā were his wives, the most important of his harem, like the Gangā and the Sindhu 108 of the Lavaņa Ocean. Brahmā enjoyed happily sensuous pleasures with these two wives, like Manmatha with Rati and Prīti.
Now Pavanavega's jiva fell from Anuttara and descended into Queen Subhadrā's womb. Comfortably asleep, Queen Subhadrā saw then the four great dreams indicating the birth of a Halabhrt (Balabhadra).109 Like the Gangā bearing a white lotus, like the east bearing the moon, at the proper time she bore a son spotless as crystal. King Brahmā gave extreme joy to the world by releases from prison, et cetera, and gave the name Vijaya to his son. Cared for by five nurses appointed to separate duties, he attained growth together with beauty of his body. Wearing dangling golden ear-rings, a swinging jeweled necklace, a golden girdle beautiful with a golden dagger, a band of tinkling little bells fastened to his feet, with side-locks of hair, to whom did he not give great joy, as he played ?
Birth of Dviprsta (204–208) When King Parvata's jīva fell from Prāṇata, he descended into Queen Umā's womb, like a hansa into a pool. While asleep, Queen Umā saw the seven great dreams which indicated the birth of a Sārngabhỉt enter her mouth. When nine months, seven and a half days had passed, she bore a son, dark in color, like the rainy season bearing a full cloud. Then Brahmā, immersed in the Supreme Spirit, as it were, from joy, held his son's birth-festival, delighting beggars. When the planet, constellation, moon-day, and week-day were auspicious, the king gave his son a suitable name, Dviprstha, with a festival.
108 195. The river Sindhu is usually considered masculine. 109 198. See above, p. 13.
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