________________
(23)
kill him. But the sage cursed him as a result of wbich he lost his l'idya. Peing sostened by his importunities, lowever, the sage modified his curse by the rider that be would regain his Vidyā when Padmavati's son, born in the cemetery and brought up by himself, will acquire the throne of Dantipura. This, he said, was tho reason wliy he was taking the child away with himn. The queen consented and the Mätanga brouglıt the child home and handed it over to his wife saying that it was her child. Padmārati, in her double bereavement, joined a nunnery and took vows from sage Samālhigupta. The child grew in the home of the Mātanga wlu, having observed dry scab on his lind, gave bim the name of Karakawla. He instructed him in all arts and sciences and illustrated to him tlie benefits and ovils of good and bad company by means of stories. One day the king of Dantipura died leaving no natural heir to the thirone behind. The ministers of the state applied a divine method for selccting the king. They released an elephant with a jar full of water in its trunk and charged it to empty the jar over him who may bo destined to be the king. The elephant passed through the town, came to the cemetery and emptied it over the head of Karakanda. When the citizens were lovrailing their lot and the miuisters were hesitating to acknowledge a Mūtanga as their prince, the guardian of Karakanda, having regained his Vidyā, appeared on the scene in all his glory and assured them all about the high parentage of the lucky boy who was then haileil with joy by all.
III
Karakanda was then low into the capital on an elephant with all the the paraphernalia of royalty and was installed king. One day, while passing through the town, he saw a man carrying a female portrait in his hand. At its sight Karakanda became enamoured. He learnt from the man that the portrait was of the daughter of Ajavarmā, king of Girinagara, in the Soratha country, and that her name was Madadāvali. She bad heard the glories of king Karakanda sung by the Khecaras and bad become love-sick. Her father had sent bim in search of the object of her lore. On hearing this the king revealed his identity and despatched reliable persons to bring Madanăvali whom he subsequently married. During the marriage-celebrations his mother paid a visit to him.
Soon after the marriage, there arrived a messenger from the king of Campā who claimed homage from Karakayda. In wrath, the latter dismissed the ambassador and led an invasion against Campā He crossed the Ganges and besieged the capital of his enemy. A ferce battle ensued during which victory swung now to one side and not to another, till the forces of Karakanda were completely roated.
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
