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Story of Bandhudatta
171 hold of a plank, reached a treasure island. He managed gradually to climb the mountain of jewels, where he saw a jeweled căitya containing an image of the Arhat Nemi. Certain Sādhus who lived there, hearing his story, converted him to the religion of the Jina (58). A Vidyādhara, Citrāñgada by name, himself a devout Jaina, was pleased with his piety, took him home, entertained him, and offered him the choice of two gifts: either the Science of flying thru the air, or a maiden in marriage. Bandhudatta remained silent, which the Vidyādhara interpreted to signify the maid. A niece of his, Mrgāñkalekhā, told the Vidyādhara that she had a friend, Priyadarçanā, in Kāuçāmbi, about whom a Sage had predicted that she would beget a son, and then take the vow (64).
Then Bandhu was sent in charge of some Vidyādharas to Kāuçãmbi, where there was a temple of Pārçva. He lauded Pārçva with an elaborate hymn. While thus engaged, Jinadatta, the father of his prospective bride, came there to praise the Jina, was pleased with Bandhu's piety, took him home, and married him to Priyadarçanā. He lived there four years, at the end of which he started home with his wife in a pregnant condition (85). After passing thru a wild forest, his caravan, camping by a lake, was attacked by Bhillas, 10 belonging to a village chieftain, Candasena. They brought the loot with Priyadarçanā to Caņdasena. He saw her dejected, and learned from her that she was the daughter of Jinadatta. Astonished at this revelation, he bowed before her, and told her that she was his sister, because she was the daughter
* See note on p. 49.
10 Encounters with Bhillas, Cabaras, Mlechas, Tajikas, Pulindas, Kirātas, Abhiras, Nisādas, wild hunters, and robbers, are as much stock motifs of Hindu fiction, as are encounters in forests with thieves and robbers in Western fiction.
