Disclaimer: This translation does not guarantee complete accuracy, please confirm with the original page text.
272
In the Padma Purana, O King, a wicked Vidyaadhara, captivated by the allure of a beautiful woman, assumed her form through his magic. [41] He remained unknown to the council of ministers and all the people. He entered Sugreeva's inner palace, content and unaware. [42] Seeing him enter, the virtuous queen, Tara, spoke to her people with anxiety. [43] "This wicked Vidyaadhara, with a heart full of sin and devoid of good qualities, has come disguised as Sugreeva. [44] Do not treat him with respect as before. This ocean of evil is difficult to cross." [45] Then, with a mind free of doubt, the Vidyaadhara, deep and playful, went to Sugreeva's throne and sat upon it. [46] Meanwhile, Bali's brother, the real Sugreeva, arrived in due course. He saw his people in distress and asked them anxiously, [47] "Why are our people so dejected and downcast? Why are they filled with sorrow and gathered in groups?" [48] "Has Angada, who went to Mount Meru to pay homage, been delayed? Or has the queen, in her anger, been offended by someone?" [49] "Or is Vibhishana, terrified by the intense suffering of birth, death, and old age, and the various miseries of the world, gone to a forest of penance?" [50] Thinking thus, Sugreeva crossed the gates, adorned with jewels and magnificent arches, and entered the palace. [51] The palace was silent, devoid of music and conversation, as if everyone was asleep. The guards at the gates were suspicious, as if they had assumed a different form. [52] Looking around the grand palace, he saw a wicked Vidyaadhara, resembling himself, sitting among the women. [53] He was adorned with divine ornaments and garments, radiating beauty, with a charming face adorned with beautiful earrings. [54]