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 66

ŚRI ARANATHACARITRA
31
When Virabhadra had seen his wife enter the place, he went away. Assuming the form of a dwarf at will, he wandered about the city for amusement, and fascinated the citizens' minds, showing various arts. He delighted King Iśānacandra exceedingly. For even one art would fascinate the mind, to say nothing of all the arts.
Ratnaprabha was asked by Anangasundari and Priyadarśanā, 'Who is your husband and what is he like?' She said, 'My husband is a native of Sinhala, fair, a depository of all the arts, named Buddhadāsa, a Smara in beauty.' Priyadarśana said, 'My husband agrees with that description exactly, except the living in Sinhala and the name Buddhadāsa.' Anangasundari said, "The color, the living in Sinhala, and the name Buddhadäsa differ from my husband.'
They remained in the hermitage like three sisters, devoted to penance and study, not receiving any news of their husbands. The fictitious dwarf saw his three wives daily and was delighted with their surpassing good behavior.
One day there was a rumor in King Iśanacandra's council that in this city in the rest-house of the nun Suvrata there were three young women, beautiful, noble, purifying the earth like three jewels. Best among good wives, moving on the path suitable for a good family, no man is able to make them speak. The fictitious dwarf said, 'I shall make them speak in turn. See my ability in this difficult task also.' Attended by ministers and royal servants and accompanied by some citizens also, he went to the head-nun's rest-house. Stopping at the door of the rest-house, he instructed his companions, 'There you must ask, "Tell some story.' With a small retinue he entered the rest-house and paid homage to Suvrata and the other nuns with spotless vows. The fictitious dwarf went away and sat down in the doorpavilion. The three (wives) came with the nuns from curiosity to see him.
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