Book Title: Kathakoca or Treasury of Stories
Author(s): C H Tawney
Publisher: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation New Delhi

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Page 168
________________ 142 and, in addition to an unguent of flowers, betel-nut mixed with camphor, cardamoms, and kankola, and said to him : Welcome, king! The king said: 'My good lady, who are you?' The woman said again: Welcome, matcbless monarch !' The king said: 'My good lady, why do you say “matchless monarch"?' The woman said: 'Indra and the other gods, when worshipped for a long time, may perhaps give and may perhaps not give, but my friend propitiated you, and you gave her her desire.' The king asked: Who is this friend of yours? When did she see me ? When the king asked this question, she said: 'In the northern direction from this place there is a mountain called Vaitádhya. On it there is a city named Sagaya,* in which lived a king of the name of Súraņa. He had two daughters, named Svayamprabhá and Maháprabhá, and two sons, named Çaçivega and Súravega. One day King Súraņa established Çaçivega in his kingdom, and took a vow in the presence of a wandering hermit named Ravitejas. Then Súravega, beholding the enjoyment that the royal dignity bestowed, conceived a desire to obtain it. Thereupon the Vidyádhara Súravega made his maternal uncle, Vasuvega by name, his ally, and came to fight with Çaçivega. Çaçivega for his part, perceiving that Súravega possessed great force, by the advice of his ministers left his city with his army and elephants, and has built a city in this forest. He has a daughter named Chandraprabhá. One day the king was informed by & soothsayer, on seeing Chandraprabhá, that the man who was destined to marry her would enable him to recover his kingdom. King Çaçivega asked the soothsayer how he was to recognise the man. The soothsayer answered: “He who shall tame a mighty elephantt belonging to the lord of the city of Sugríva, while roaming about in this wood in a state of madness, shall become the husband of your daughter, and restore to you your kingdom." From that day forward * Or Ságara, according to two of the MSS. Literally a smell-elephant. According to Monier Williams, it is an elephant of the best class, supposed to emit a peculiar smell. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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