Jain Ramayana Part 1

Author(s): Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana

Page 17

The Rakshasdweep: The Vanardweep
(2)
The lofty mountain, Vaithadhya stretched from horizon to horizon, with its ranges rising tier over tier, with countless caves and abundant groves of trees. Actually, it was the Kingdom of Vidyadhars, a race of celestial beings, strangely fascinating, splendid to look at with its sinuous streams, gurgling torrents, sky-high peaks and pellucid lakes.
Among those mountains lay the city of Meghpur, a fascinating city of topless towers, the abode of prosperity and felicity. Athindra Vidhyadhar ruled over the Kingdom. Besides possessing a mastery over the fine arts, he was a genius of exceptional intellectual brlliance and was the supreme commander of a vast army of heroic soldiers. Moreover, he was the greatest hero of them all. His fame echoed from every part and particle of Vaithachya. No Vidyadhar had been born in the world who was comparable to him in military heroism and intellectual brilliance and incisiveness.
Shrimathi was his Queen-consort. Besides being incomparably beautiful, she was the embodiment of chastity and nobility. In course of time, the Queen gave birth to two children, a son and a daughter.
The son was named Shrikanta. The daughter was called Devi.
Devi, as suggested by her name was an angel in beauty and in virtues. She was supremely beautiful combining in herself the rarest of graces and glories
When Devi stepped on the threshold of youth, every organ of her divinely graceful body began to bubble with buoyant beauty and charm. Her beauty beamed and bloomed with the radiance of the sixteen arts. The fame of her extraordinary beauty spread far and near. One day, a certain ambassador appeared in the court of Athindra Vidyadhar. He had been sent by Pushpottar Vidyadhar, the emperor of Ratanupur.
He bowed to Athindra Vidyadhar respectfully, and presented to him the precious gifts he had brought with him. Athindra received the presentations joyfully; and asked him,