Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

SR No.: 001004
Original Sutra Author: Hemchandracharya
Author: Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra
Publication Year: 1954
Total Pages: 449
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Mythology, & Story
File Size: 9 MB

Page 59

24
CHAPTER TWO
is useless without her. A statue, though complete, is beautiful only with a wreath of flowers.'
He showed her his skill in other arts, seizing a proper occasion, a thief of the wealth of her mind. Virabhadra perceived that Anangasundari was in love with him and one day said to Sheth Sankha secretly: Following Vinayavati, I have gone every day to Anangasundari, disguised as a woman. Do not fear that I shall do anything that will be a discredit to you; rather, there will be honor. If the king wishes to give you his daughter for me, you must not consent at first. There is honor, when there is great insistence. The sheth said, 'You will know best, superior in intelligence, but one thing we will say: Your own welfare must be observed.' Virabhadra replied, 'Do not worry, father. Soon you will see your son's creditable conduct with successful results.' 'Son, you know best,' and the sheth was silent.
Then there was a rumor in King Ratnakara's council: 'A young man from Tamralipti has come to the house of Sheth Sankha. He distinguishes himself daily in the city by various arts. Because he comes from a foreign country, his family is not known, but his appearance indicates that he comes from a well-born family.' Then the king thought: "This young man is like Manmatha in beauty, of good habits, of good appearance, an ocean of arts, intelligent. If he, suitable, pleases my daughter as a husband, there is no fault on the part of the Creator arranging a suitable alliance.'
Virabhadra said to Anangasundari privately, 'Why are you averse to pleasure in such entirety, friend?' Anangasundari replied: 'Who does not like pleasure? However, a husband suitable for myself, well-born, is hard to find. Better a gem by itself than set in a glass ring; better a river without water than one filled with sea-monsters; better a house entirely empty than one filled with thieves; better a garden without trees than one with poisonous trees; better a woman unmarried, though young and