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104
Life and Stories of Parçvanatha
SARGA THE FOURTH
Frame story: Story of the Emperor Suvarnabahu (with Çakuntala motifs 1), and his death
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King Vajrabahu of Surapura had a lovely and virtuous wife, named Sudarçanã. The soul of Vajranabha (of the previous sarga), in due time, fell from heaven, and entered the womb of Sudarçana. The queen had the fourteen great dreams,' 2 which herald the birth of a Cakravartin (emperor). In due course she gave birth to a boy whom the king named Suvarnabahu (15). He grew up so accomplished as to permit the king, who had become averse to the world, to take the vow, and to leave his kingdom in charge of his son. One day Suvarṇabāhu mounted an inversely trained horse, which galloped off when checked by the rein. The horse did not stop until they came to a lake. After bathing in its clear waters, the king saw in front of him an ascetic's grove full of antelopes. His right eye twitched," which encouraged him to enter the grove in joyous anticipation (32). There he saw a maiden, surrounded by companions, engaged in sprinkling creepers. The king thought her more beautiful than Rambha "; she seemed the quintessence of the
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The story of Çakuntala (Mahābh. 1. 69 ff.) is, occasionally, the prototype of love affairs between heroes and hermitage maidens. The present adventure is direct imitation. See also the story of Kadaligarbha, Kathās. 32. 99 ff., and the story of Ruru, Kathas. 14. 76 ff.
See additional note 10, on p. 189.
Eighth pre-birth of the future Părçva.
See additional note 26, on p. 204.
A good omen. Very frequent motif; see, e. g. Samaradityasamkṣepa 5. 186, 289; 7. 374, 438.
The loveliest of the Apsaras, or heavenly nymphs.
