Jain Journal 1970 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 18

OCTOBER, 1970
61
urged him to adopt good conduct. Then he proceeded to the South and Darpaparigha soon took to renunciation.
Kuvalayacandra reached Vijayapuri. There he learnt from popular gossip that princess Kuvalayamala was very beautiful ; she had hung in public an incomplete verse ; and she would marry him who could complete it. When he came to the royal court-yard, he at once hit on the rest of the verse. Just then the state elephant was running amuck. The prince brought it under control to the dismay of one and all. He recited the complete verse to the satisfaction of princess Kuvalayamala who garlanded him and chose him as her bride-groom. Mahendrakumara also was there by that time and he gave an account of the prince to the king of Vijayapuri. Mahendrakumara also narrated what happend at the capital after Kuvalayacandra was carried away by the horse. All possible attempts were made to get some news of the prince but all in vain. At last the parrot came and from it knowing his whereabout he had come to the place.
It was gathered that it would take some time to fix up a date for the wedding. But Kuvalayacandra and Kuvalayamala exchanged affectionate messages and love presents, learnt more and more about each other, and at last their wedding was celebrated with great pomp. They had a happy time full of pastimes and enjoyments. Then finding an occasion the prince narrated their past lives and requested her to accept samyaktva which she did.
On receiving a letter from Ayodhya, prince Kuvalayacandra accompanied by his beloved and Mahendrakumara started back to meet his parents. They had good omens on the way. After reaching Sahya, they paid respects to a saint, who was enlighted by seeing the paintings of the samsāra-cakra. This made Mahendrakumara firm in his samyaktva. The prince then met some alchemists on the way and helped them to prepare gold. Then he reached the outskirts of Ayodhya. He was lovingly welcomed by his parents, and was soon crowned as heirapparent, to the joy of the whole town. After hearing true religion, Drdhavarmana renounced the world and became a monk.
Kuvalayacandra ruled for many years. God Padmakesara (Mohadatta) was born as a son to him and he was named Prthyisara. Seeing the memento, he had detachment for worldly life right from the beginning. Both Kuvalayacandra and Kuvalayamala remembered about their earlier resolve and decided to take to religious life. They happened to meet saint Darpaparigha who told them that it was his Guru who gave