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CHAPTER IV
ANANTANATHACARITRA
May Ananta Svāmin, possessing the four infinities of Siddhas,155 giving infinite bliss to creatures here, like emancipation, protect you.
Holy Lord Ananta's life, which is like a boat for crossing the boundless ocean of worldly existence, is herewith related.
Incarnation as Padmaratha (3-11)
Now there is a very important city Ariṣṭā in the province Airāvata 156 in East Videha in Dhātakīkhaṇḍadvipa. In it there was a king, Padmaratha, who had great chariots, the sole mountain for the stumbling of the array of chariots of enemy-charioteers. After conquering all his enemies and subduing the whole earth, he did not care a straw for it, eager for subduing the Śri of emancipation. He experienced the pastimes of strolling in gardens, water-sports in pools, attending sweet concerts by musicians, watching different gaits in his draft-animals, elephants, horses, et cetera, witnessing entertainmentfestivals such as that of spring and Kaumudi, dramatic festivals with the ten kinds of drama,157 nāṭaka, et cetera, the dwelling in houses which were the counterparts of heavenly palaces, and the wearing of varied garments, decorations, ointments, and ornaments not from desire but from following the way of the people. After passing
165 I. See I, n. 419.
166 3. See above, n. 133. 157 8. These are treated in so many places it is hardly necessary to quote. Hem. himself enumerates them in Abhi. 2. 198. See also Dasarupa, Book III; Sahityadarpana, Chap. VI; Natyadarpaņa, Chap. 2; Prataparudrayaśobhabhūshaṇa, pp. 100 ff.
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