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Bhagawan Mahavir )
[ 209
The ambassadors felt so very glad to know this that they began to praise the good luck of the princess, of her parents and of her kinsmen. The towns-people also rejoiced to hear this good news. Then amidst a great pomp and show, princess Yasoda was betrothed to prince Vardhamana by the ambassadors of the king Samara-Vira. After fixing the date for marriage king Siddhartha sent them back with a large sum of money and presents to their king.
THE MARRIED LIFE OF PRINCE VARDHAMANA.
The marriage ceremony of prince Vardhamana was celeberated with great magnificence and splendour at its fixed time. The beauty of the occasion was increased all the more by the presence of many great men that were invited to the marriage from far and near. This time too the prisoners were released from the jails; customs and duties were repealed and gifts and presents were given in very large numbers. Princess Yashoda thought herself very fortunate in getting such an illustrious prince for the husband. The long cherished hopes of the parents and kinsmen of prince Vardhamana were now fulfilled when they saw the face of the lovely bride in their house for the first time. King Samara-Vira had given many elephants, horses, servants, maids, riches, and other necessary things to Yashoda as a part of her dowary, There were rejoicings and merry-makings in every part of the kingdom on this occasion. Congratulations were sent to the king and to the newly wedded couple. The marriage of prince Vardhamana had pleased all with the exception of one and that one was the prince himself. He was not influenced by it in the heart. His mind remained as calm and cool and as indifferent as it was before his marriage. This was a
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