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63
MARRIAGES OF VASUDEVA WITH MAIDENS
Marriage with Pundrā (381-382)
There he saw Puņạrā, the daughter of King Puņdra who had died without a son, who had the appearance of a man by means of an herb, ruling the kingdom. Vārşņeya perceived that she was a woman and married her infatuated (with him). She had a son, named Pundra, and he became king.
Marriage with Ratnavati (383–386) The Khecara Angāraka in the guise of a hansa seized Samudravijaya's younger brother at night and threw him in the Gangā. At daybreak Sauri saw the city Ilāvardhana and sat down in the shop of a caravan-leader at his invitation. From his power he (the merchant) made a profit of a lac of gold and, recognizing his power, spoke to him respectfully. The caravan-leader seated him in a golden chariot, conducted him to his house, and married him to his daughter, Ratnavati.
Marriage with Somaśri (387-411) One day when the Sakra-festival 66 was taking place, seated in a divine chariot, he went with his father-in-law to the city Mahāpura. Outside the city Yādava saw new palaces and asked his father-in-law, “What is this second city?” The caravan-leader said: “The king here is Somadatta. He has a daughter, Somaśrī, whose beauty surpasses that of the moon. These palaces were ordered built for her svayamvara and the kings, who had been summoned, were dismissed again because of their lack of cleverness."
After hearing this, Yādava went and bowed to the Sakrapillar. The women of the king's household, who had come earlier, were leaving, after bowing to the pillar. Just then the king's elephant came there, after pulling up the tying-post, and caused the princess to fall from the chariot to the ground. When Sauri saw her, miserable, unprotected, seeking protection,
86 387. The same as the Indrotsava. See I, p. 342 f., 7. 386,
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