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INTRODUCTION
on her neck; she came back to consciousness; and, on an earnest inquiry by him, she started narrating her tale to him (Pages 103.3-107.15; *45.5- *47.11).
THE GIRL IN DESPAIR INTRODUCES HERSELF TO SĀGARADATTA: “I am the daughter, freely grown up, of a wealthy banker, Mahādhana, from Srītunga, situated on the southern shore. While sleeping on the terrace, I was kidnapped by a Vidyādhara to find myself awake in the forest. Captivated by his form, I offered myself to him. Even before he accepted me, another Vidyādhara, with sword in hand, appeared on the scene; both of them attacked each other and fell dead in the encounter. I was aghast and plunged in sorrow; and in that helpless mood, I attempted suicide' (Pages 107.16-108-14; *47.12-38).
SĀGARADATTA REBUKED, REMINDED OF HIS DUTY AND REACHES HOME: Sāgaradatta told her about his ship-wreck and the consequent breach of his solemn resolution. Both of them decided to seek grave in fire and duly jumped into the flames of a burning bamboo-thicket. Lo! the flames were turned into lotus-flowers, and there came a god in his Vimāna. The god (Padmakesara) rebuked Sāgaradatta for his cowardly act, reminded him of his glories in heaven, and requested him to possess seven crores (in the form of jñāna, samyaktva and five mahāvratas), enjoy pleasures (as the Karmas would have it) and then accept renunciation. He took Sāgaradatta and the girl into the Vimāna, put twentyone crores there, led him to the town of Jayatunga where he married both the girls, and then finally took them all to Campā (Pages 108.15-109.28; *47.38- *48.19).
SAINT SĀGARADATTA REVIEWS THE CAREER OF THE REST; KUVALAYACANDRA ENLIGHTENED, AND THE LION BORN AS GOD: The god reminded Sāgaradatta of the rest of his duties and returned to heaven. Then I ( - Lobhadeva > Padmaprabha > Sāgaradatta > now Saint), in due course, accepted renunciation under Dhanadatta. I developed clairvoyance. I could visualize the career of my four colleagues: Candasoma > Padmacandra is born as a Lion in the Vindhyas; Mānabhața > Padmasāra is born as prince Kuvalayacandra, son of king Dşdhavarman in Ayodhyā; Māyāditya > Padmavara is born as Princess Kuvalayamālā, the daughter of king Mahāsena of Vijayā in the South. Our mutual promise to bestow samyaktva was recollected. God Padmakesara conferred with me, and we planned to enlighten the rest. It is adversity that makes one receptive of Religious enlightenment. So I reached the spot where Caņdasoma > Lion dwelt. God Padmakesara possessed your horse and brought and left you here in a mood of frustration. That is how you (= Kuvalayacandra) happened to be here; and you can see here the counterparts of the four in precious stones which should serve as mementos. Hearing all this, Kuvalayacandra developed right faith and was prescribed the duties of a householder, as his Karmas would have it: he resolved to respect only the Jina and the Sadhu, and not to kill even an enemy who is unarmed, running away and meek in words. Attending to all this, the Lion too was enlightened. It accepted fasting and remained intent on religious virtues. You (= Kuvalayacandra) will marry Kuvalayamālā by completing the verse hung publicly, and (Mohadatta > Padmakesara) will be born as your son. As it was a fit moment, Kuvalayacandra whispered sacred syllables into the ear of the dying Lion, which, after death, became a god (Pages 109.29-112.1; *48.19- *50.12).
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