Book Title: Jivandhar Champu
Author(s): Pannalal Jain
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

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Page 16
________________ in her courage by the attendant Yaksi. In the meanwhile the usurper Kāşthāngāra despatched an army against robbers who had carried away the cattle. As this army was repulsed, Gopendra, the owner of the cattle, had it announced publicly that he would give the virtuous virgin Godāvarī to him who should rescue the cours. Prince Jirandhara accomplished this heroic feat but had Godávari bestowed in marriage to Yandādhya, the son of his foster-mother. The prince Jivanahara, in course of his manifold adventures, marries a Vidyādhara princess Gandharvadattā by surpassing hero at the appointed Svayamvara in the art of playing on the Viņā or lute. Instigated by bis wicked associates, Kālāngāraka, the son of Kasthāngāra, made an attempt to abduct Gandharvadattā; but the prince angrily advanced against his army, and the matter vas amicably settled by Gandharvadattā's father who made himself happy by marrying her to Jivandhara. By playing the role of a judicious arbitrator Jivardhara could prove, after scattering the powders, whereupon it is detected that the bees starm towards the more sweetly scented powder, that the fragrant powder of Candroda ya of Suramañjari pas superior to Suryodaya belonging to Guņamālā; and thus the dispute was amicably settled. Then Jivandhara skilfully tames à rutted elephant and thus captivated the heart of Suramañjari who was bestowed on him by her parents. The wicked king Kāşthāngāra, taking an imaginary offence by the heroic feats of the merchant prince Jivandhara, instigated the chief of the watchmen of the town against Jivandhara who easily inflicted a defeat on him within a short time. Kuowing that Kāşthāngāra was behind all the machinations, Jivandhara, with the aid of his Yaksa friend whom in the earlier life of a dog he had obliged with religious instruction, could put an end to this strife. He stayed for a while with his Yaksa friend who gave hin a splendid seal-ring which enabled its bearer to assume any desired appearance and which accomplished all desired objects. Further, as predicted by ascetic Aditya, Jivandhara aided by the Yaksa pronounced a spell and cured Padmottamā of snake bite consequent on which that virgin was given to him in marriage by her father along with half of his kingdom. Almost impelled by fate Jivandhara reached a Sahasrakūta temple of Jina surrouned by vernal beauty. While he was offering worship to the Jina, there arrived Kșemasundari who, as predicted earlier and indicated by the miracle of Campaka flowers etc., was bestowed on him in

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