________________
184
CHAPTER SEVEN pouring of water into the hand. 241 Then a Vidyadhara's son brought me, before the marriage was held, here from my own palace-roof, like a robber bringing another man's property. He created this palace by magic and left me here in this very place. The Vidyadhara went somewhere. I do not know. What will happen ?
Then Āryaputra said: 'Do not fear, o timid-eyed lady. I myself am Sanatkumāra, the Kuru, whom you well remember.' She replied: ‘After a long time now you, like a good dream, have been made by fate to appear within my range of vision. Thank heaven, my lord !
While they were talking in this way, the Vidyadhara, Vajravega by name, the son of Aśanivega, came, red-eyed from anger. The Vidyādhara-boy lifted Aryaputra and made him ily up, giving the appearance of a bird by his ascent. Saying, 'Oh! lord, lord, I am destroyed by fate,' she fell on the ground in a swoon, like an old leaf. Aryaputra, angry, killed the evil Vajravega with his fist which had the strength of adamant, like killing a handful of mosquitoes. Uninjured, Aryaputra approached her bringing joy to the blue lotus-eyes, like the moon. He restored her and wisely married her at once, for she had been indicated by the best astrologers as a 'woman-jewel.'
At once Vajravega's sister came there, a maiden named Sandhyāvali, and she was angry at her brother's death. Recalling the saying of astrologers, 'Your brother's slayer will be your husband,' she became calm at once. Whose own desire is not paramount ? Desiring Aryaputra, for a husband, the maid approached like a second Sri of victory engaged in a svayamvara. Sunandā, joyful, gave her consent to your friend and he married the infatuated woman with a gandharva-marriage.242
241 242. In confirmation of a gift or promise.
248 256. A marriage of inclination without ceremonies. It is one of the 8 recognized forms of marriage.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org