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Chapter Twenty-Eight
Hear, O Shrenik, the further deeds of the valiant Vasudeva, who was bereft of Vegavati and had attained the union of merit and valor. ||1||
Wandering through the forest without fatigue, the hero Vasudeva entered the hermitage of the ascetics and saw them engaged in idle talk. ||2||
"Why are you ascetics, who are united with austerity, engaged in tales of kings and battles? Austerity is the control of speech, etc." ||3||
Thus questioned, those ascetics, who were fond of distinguished visitors, replied, "We are newly initiated and do not know the ways of the munis." ||4||
"In Shravasti, there is a king named Eniputra, who is vast in fame, like the ocean, and possesses unyielding valor. ||5||
"His daughter, Priyangu Sundari, is a beauty unparalleled in the world. For her swayamvara, he invited all of us kings." ||6||
"But for some reason, she did not choose anyone, just as a wild elephantess does not choose any elephant other than a wild elephant." ||7||
"Then, those kings who were filled with desire for her, but were ashamed at not obtaining her, gathered together with the girl's father and prepared to fight immediately." ||8||
"Then, O sir, thousands of kings were quickly subdued by him, just as the sun subdues thousands of eyes. ||9||
"Some, filled with pride, were unable to bear defeat and, entering the battlefield, quickly gave up their lives." ||10||
"We, too, terrified by the neighing of his horses and his thousand-armed might, entered the dense forest, like groups of darkness." ||11||
"O sir, teach us the Dharma, for we do not know the essence of Dharma. You are the one who is worthy of being addressed." ||12||