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

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CHAPTER TWO
to her. Cared for by the ascetics for several days she recovered and remained as if in her father's house. The abbot reflected, 'If she remains here, she will certainly destroy the concentration of the ascetics because of her extraordinary beauty.' Then the old ascetic said to her:
Child, there is a town Padminīkhaņda not far from here. People, for the most part good and wealthy, live there. If you stay there, you will have the greatest degree of comfort. Certainly you will meet your husband there. So go there, child, with some old ascetics.'
At this command of the abbot, she went to Padminikhanda, like a hansī to a lotus-bed, escorted by elderly ascetics. Saying, 'It is not permitted us to enter the city,' the ascetics left her outside the city and returned home. Making the sky bloom with lotuses, as it were, by her glances; looking in all directions like a doe lost from the herd, she saw a head-nun, Suvratā, like her own mother, surrounded by nuns, coming for care of the body. She remembered, "These have been shown to me by my husband, painted on a canvas with his own hand, above reproach, worshipped by the world.' Remembering this, she approached quickly and paid homage to Suvratā .and the nuns in accordance with the rule learned before.
Praise the shrines of Sinhaladvīpa by my voice, mother,' she said to the nun Suvratā, her hands folded together. Suvratā said to her, 'Have you come from Sinhaladvīpa? And why are you alone? For there is not a good appearance without attendants.' 'I shall tell everything when I am safe,' she said; and the head-nun Suvratā went with her to her rest-house quickly. Paying homage to the nuns with extraordinary devotion, she was seen there by your daughter Priyadarśanā. Questioned by Suvratā and Priyadarśanā, she told her story up to the sight of Suvratā. Priyadarśanā said to her, 'Everything, the arts, et cetera, fits Vīrabhadra, fair lady. What complexion was he?' 'Dark.' Priyadarśanā said, 'The complexion alone does not fit my husband Virabhadra, high-born lady.' The