________________
11009
KUVALAYAMALA
the palace at her father's direction, her heart was left behind as it were. She reached her apartment, but was awfully restless whether you would accept her at all. We all assured her, but her doubts could not be dissipated. Just to test your bonafides, we requested her to send you the garland etc. She learnt that the day of the marriage also was not immediately fixed; and that made her unhappy. Further, as she did not receive any message from you, she is on the verge of break-down; and her condition is critical, almost beyond all normal remedies. Mahendra consulted her as to what should be done to save the situation. She requested them to go to the garden where she would arrange to bring Kuvalayamālā. Kuvalayacandra and Mahendra reached the garden (described 166.16-19) discussing half-serious and half-jocular topics (156.1-15); and while they were enjoying various scenes etc. in it, there arrived Kuvalayamālā of striking beauty (described 166.32 f.), still in a suspicious mood. Her attendants including Bhogavatī left her in a bower, and went out to trace the prince from his conspicuous foot-prints: she had almost decided to hang herself to death, if she were not to meet the prince. They met, however, in that bower; and the prince welcomed her and received her in his arms to her pleasant embarrassment. She reminded him that he did not send any message; but he assured her that he came all the distance to enlighten her, as it was agreed between them in the past. Bhogavati came there under the king's direction, and Kuvalayamālā returned to her apartment with a consoled heart, leaving the prince in a mood of assurance. He narrated his experience with her to Mahendra. Both of them spent their time happily as if in their own country; and Kuvalayacandra was receiving a number of love presents from the princess. Now the cold season arrived (described 169.12-170.4) with all its characteristics (Pages 161.1-170.4; *64.9- *65.35).
48
WEDDING CEREMONY; PLEASURE SPORTS AND DIVERSIONS; AND KUVALAYAMĀLĀ DULY ENLIGHTENED: The astrologer informed the king how the most auspicious lagna-yoga was now available for the marriage of Kuvalayacandra and Kuvalayamālā who felt very happy on hearing this. The whole town was busy with various preparations of the marriage (170.20-28). On the appointed day, at that auspicious moment, the marriage ceremony was celebrated with due eclat and rituals (described 170.31-171.26). Then followed their bed-ceremony to which, to begin with, her companions added a good deal of mirth and fun. When they left the room, Kuvalayamālā also wanted to go out, but Kuvalayacandra charged her with stealing' his heart; she also made a similar charge; the companions were called back and accepted for arbitration; and their decision required the couple to embrace each other heartily. Thus passed the first, the second and the third night which ended in their amorous satisfaction. One day, the couple enjoyed from the terrace the scene of the ocean (described 173.33 f.) the waves of which were washing the southern rampart of the metropolis; and they saw therein each other's characteristics in a symbolic way. Then they decided to divert themselves with learned pastimes such as prahelikā, antimākṣara vūḍhā etc. (174.21-24) of which bindumati, aṭṭhāviḍaya, prasnottara, pṛṣṭārtha, akşara-cyutaka, mātrā-cyutaka, bindu-cyutaka, gūḍha-caturtha-pāda, bhāniyavviyā, hṛdaya, padma-gāthā, gāthārdha, samvidhānaka, gāthā-rākṣasa,
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
