________________
CHAPTER VII MARRIAGES OF ŚĀMBA AND PRADYUMNA
AND THE KILLING OF JARASANDHA Then at the festival which took place here at Pradyumna's coming Duryodhana got up and announced to Vasudeva: “My daughter, your daughter-in-law, master, has been abducted by some one just now. So have a search made for her so that Bhānuka can marry.” Kșşņa said: “I am not omniscient. If I were such, why did I not know that Raukmiņeya had been kidnaped by some one ?” Pradyumna said, “I shall bring her here, recognizing her through Prajñapti," and brought there the svayamvara-maiden. Pradyumna did not take her though offered by Kșşņa saying, “She is my daughter-in-law," and Bhānuka married her. Govinda married Khecara-princesses to Pradyumna, though he was unwilling, with a great festival. Rukmiņi and Sārngadharin dismissed Nārada after he had been honored as a benefactor because he had restored Pradyumna.
Bhāmā, grieving at Pradyumna's great magnificence and fame, went to the anger-room and lay on an old couch. Kansāri came there in agitation and said, “By whom have you been insulted, on account of which you grieve, fair lady?” She said: “There has been no insult to me. But if I do not have a son like Pradyumna, then I shall certainly die. " Knowing her persistence, Kṛṣṇa observed paușadha with a three-day fast directed to the god Naigameşin. Naigameşin appeared and said to him, “ What can I do for you?” Kșşņa said, “Give Bhāmā a son like Pradyumna.” Naigameşin said: “ Enjoy her from whom you desire a son. Have her put on this necklace. Then there will be the desired son.” Naigameşin gave him a necklace and departed. Delighted Vāsudeva assigned a bed-chamber to Satyā.
Informed about this by Prajñapti, Pradyumna told his
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org