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INTRODUCTION
47
proceed to Vijayapurī, but at last allowed Mahendrakumāra and his party to go there. That is how Kuvalayacandra and Mahendrakumāra could luckily meet here. King Vijaya was extremely happy at these developments which were almost miraculous. Both the princes rested there quite comfortably (Pages 155.14-158.2; *62.27- *63.30).
DELAY FOR MARRIAGE AND KUVALAYACANDRA'S PASSIONATE ANXIETY: It was gathered that it would take some time to fix up a date for the wedding: this caused some anxiety to Kuvalayacandra who was impatient for the hand of Kuvalayamālā. He was passionately yearning for her, and started brooding over her beauty (158.13-24). He planned desperately various alternatives of meeting her (158.25-159.5). Mahendrakumara came and mentioned to him how a letter conveying their well-being was despatched to Ayodhya. He could easily see that the prince was restless on account of separation and was losing faith in the promises of the king, because of his own impatience. Mahendra reminded him of the prophecy, of his being chosen by Kuvalayamālā with a garland and of her deep affection and passionate love for him; and requested him not to suspect the good intentions of king Vijaya (Pages 158.3-160.8; *63.30- *64.3).
KUVALAYAMĀLĀ SENDS A LOVE PRESENT TO KUVALAYACANDRA: At this stage, there arrived a girl who brought to Kuvalayacandra personal presents consisting of a garland and a flower-ornament; within the stalk of the latter, there was the figure of Rajahamsikā, cut on a bhurja-leaf; and its expression was indicated by a verse inscribed below it. Mahendra warned him not to misunderstand the situation: the symbolic swan was eager for him. The bard announced the evening, indirectly reminding the prince that the Dharma was quite important and one should not be carried away by worldly attachments. The prince took leave of the girl-messenger just with a remark complimenting Kuvalayamālā on her skill (Pages 160.9-32; *64.34-38).
BHOGAVATI INTRODUCES KUVALAYAMĀLĀ AND ARRANGES A MEETING OF KUVALAYACANDRA WITH HER: Both Kuvalayacandra and Mahendra offered evening worship to Rṣabhanatha. Mahendra found fault with Kuvalayacandra for not sending any message to Kuvalayamālā who would be fatally restless on account of separation. Next morning, they woke up, hearing the bard's recitation (161.16-22). An elderly lady (Bhogavati) who was a motherly attendant of Kuvalayamālā came to them, and narrated to them the following details: King Vijayasena and his queen Bhanumati of Vijayapurī had no issue, so they worshipped many a deity etc. for a child; and at last, as indicated by a dream, they had a daughter, Kuvalayamālā, who was duly brought up almost like a son. On her reaching youth, as she had developed aversion for man, her parents inquired about her marriage of a Vidyadhara-śramaṇa (who knows the past, present and future). The Śramana gave them a discourse on heya, adeya and upekṣaniya both in this and the other world. Further, on an inquiry by the king, the Śramana narrated all about Māyāditya > Padmavara > Kuvalayamālā till her welcoming the triumphant prince Kuvalayacandra (i.e., yourself). On seeing you on the back of the elephant, many doubts and expectations crowded her heart (163.24-32); then, on your completing the verse, she garlanded you; and to her thrill, you looked at her affectionately. Though she went away from
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