Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

SR No.: 001006
Original Sutra Author: Hemchandracharya
Author: Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra
Publication Year: 1962
Total Pages: 446
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Mythology, Story, N000, & N010
File Size: 21 MB

Page 317

STORIES OF RAUHIŅEYA AND OTHERS 277 threw the king of the Vatsas from the elephant's shoulder, and took him prisoner. Alone, unarmed, unsuspecting, surrounded by a hundred soldiers, like a boar by dogs, he did not resist
The soldiers delivered the king of the Vatsas to Candapradyota who said to him: “ Teach your own art of music to my daughter who is one-eyed. By teaching my daughter, remain comfortably in my house. Otherwise, your life depends on me, as you are a prisoner.” Udayana reflected: “I shall pass the time teaching the daughter. Verily, a living man sees fair things.” With this reflection, the king of the Vatsas--the man who indeed knew the arts-accepted Pradyota's command.
Caņdapradyota said to him: “My daughter is one-eyed. Do not look at her. If you do, she will be embarrassed.” After saying this, he went to the harem and said to his daughter: “ You must not look at the music-teacher who has come, because he is a leper.” Accordingly, the king of the Vatsas taught her music and they did not see each other, both of them deceived by Pradyota.
One day, the king of Avanti's daughter was absentminded because she was thinking, “I am going to see this man,” and recited incorrectly. Verily, conduct is subject to the mind. Then the king of the Vatsas scolded the king of Avanti's daughter: “Why do you waste my teaching? Why are you hard to teach, one-eyed girl?” Angered by his censure, she said to the king of the Vatsas: “Why do you call me 'one-eyed ’? You do not see yourself, a leper.” Whereupon the king of the Vatsas reflected: “She is the same kind of a one-eyed person as I am a leper. Certainly I will see her.” At this thought he, quick-witted, tore down the curtain and saw her like a digit of the moon with the Clouds scattered. Wide-eyed Vāsavadattā saw him with a fair body like Manmatha in person.
When Vāsavadattā had seen him and the king of the Vatsas had seen her, they gave each other a smile that