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Jain Terms Preserved:
348
In the Harivamsha Purana, the one who had attained the state of knowledge (labdha-samjna) became absorbed in meditation on her celestial husband. She gave up the desire for bathing and eating, and observed the vow of silence (maunavrata) ॥54॥ With difficulty, she narrated to me in private that in her previous birth, she had played with the deity. She was born from the lineage of the deity who had previously departed, and this goddess recognized him from the words of the Kevali (omniscient) ॥55-56॥ And the reunion with the husband, who had the power to destroy the elephant's fear, was known to her. Now, in the current dialogue, she desires your union ॥57॥ Knowing this from my words, the king has sent me to you. O gentle one! May you perform the auspicious marriage rite with Somasri ॥58॥
Thus, having revealed the connection from the previous birth, Vasudeva, the son of Andhakavrishti, was pleased and married the desired Somasri, the daughter of Somadatta, who was his beloved from the past life ॥59॥ For some time, they enjoyed the fragrance of their lotus-like faces and the nectar, as the time passed happily for Somasri and Vasudeva ॥60॥ But once, during the night, a celestial being (khecara) stole away Somasri, who was resting on the arm of her husband ॥61॥ The awakened husband, extremely distressed, called out to Somasri, "Where have you gone? Come back, come back!" ॥62॥ The one who had taken Somasri away sent his sister, who had assumed Somasri's form, and she stood there saying, "I am here." Vasudeva saw the sister in Somasri's form ॥63॥ When asked why she had gone out, she, like Somasri herself, replied that she had gone out for the sake of dharma and peace ॥64॥ The Shouri (Vasudeva), captivated by her form, took her, who had discarded her maiden form, and made her his companion ॥65॥ She would sleep while the husband slept, and before he woke up, she would massage his thighs and feet ॥66॥