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JAINA LITERATURE IN TAMIL
79
third morning he went back to his friends' camp in the garden outside the city.
9. Suramañjarī-ilambakam—His friends observed Jivaka with the marks of a fresh bridegroom and wanted to know the identity of his fresh matrimonial conquest. When Jivaka told them that he had married Vimalā, the merchant's daughter, they all congratulated him that he was the veritable Kāma. But one of his friends named Buddhiṣena was not willing to congratulate him for this paltry achievement; for, in the city there was one Suramañjari who would not brook to see a male's face and if Jivaka succeeded in marying her, then he would be congratulated as the veritable God of Love. Jivaka took up the challenge. Next day he assumed the form of a very old brāhmaṇa mendicant and appeared before the gate of Suramañjarī. Suramañjarī's maid servants informed their mistress of the appearance of the brahmana mendicant at her gate begging for some food. Suramañjarī, thinking that an old and frail brāhmaṇa mendicant would not lead to the violation of her vow, instructed her servants to bring the old man into the house. There the old mendicant was received as an honoured guest and was offered the finest food that she could arrange for. After dinner the old man took rest on a beautiful bed prepared for him. After a few minutes' nap the old man sang a very beautiful song which was identified by Suramañjarī as Jivaka's. This roused in her the old desire to win over Jivaka for herself. She decided to go to the temple of Love the next day to offer worship to the God of Love that she might at last
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