Atmanandji Jainacharya Janmashatabdi Smarakgranth

Author(s): Mohanlal Dalichand Desai
Publisher: Atmanand Janma Shatabdi Smarak Trust

Page 172

C. N. Patwardhan
was by natura generous, and asked the farmer to accept it for himself.
During his wanderings, Dhannya came to the beautiful city of Raja-griha and took rest under a mango-tree outside the park. Kusumapala, the gardener there, saw the handsome Dhannya, was much impressed, and took him to his house, where all his relations approved greatly of Dhannya. Here there ruled the king Shrenika, whose sword ( the Great Serpent ), with valour ( the hood-jewel ), drank up the glory ( milk ) of his enemies. His queen was Dharini, the abode of pura character and adorning merits. She gave birth to a daughter pleasing to the King's subjects as Justice produces Fame. The King had it proclaimed throughout the city that His Majesty was to be informed of any other daughter born on the same day.
In the city lived Gobhadra, of noble descent. His wife Bhadra gave birth to a daughter on that same day. On the same day Kusumapala's wife, too, gave birth to a female child. They heard the proclamation and informed the King that they had daughters born to them. The King sent for them and told them that the two daughte be the companions of the Princess. Receiving the King's command, both returned home, The nobleman, Gobhadra, named his daughter Subhadra, with great eclat of riches, and the gardener named his daughter Pushpavati. The King gave the Princess the name of Somashri with due ceremony. and she was brought up along with her two companions. The three became very much attached to each other, and grew up to adolescence.
They thought: “How could we get one husband for us all ?" Then Pushpavati saw Dhannya and thought how handsome and virtuous he was and said: "Since this youth came here my father's flowers are growing manifold in quantity on trees where formerly there were hardly any. This, really, is a fit husband for us three. How can I inform the Princess about this ?” So she caused Dhannya to make a variously woven garland, and gave it to Somaghri, Somashri was surprised and said: “ Friend, who has made this wreath, as picturesque as a necklace of varying pearls ?” Pushpavati said: “A youth as handsome as the god of love stays at our place; he is the very abode of all arts. He is he who has woven this artistic wreath by his skill.” Learning his name, Sonashri
Shatabdi Granth ]
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