Lilavaikaha

Author(s): K R Chandra, Ramniklal M Shah
Publisher: Prakrit Text Society Ahmedabad

Page 84

Lilavai-Kahå of Koühala
63
645. O my dza; ! (or my Lord !), with my lif: clinging on to the
(frail) tie of your affection, I was clipped like a poisonous
creeper from a great wish-giving tree, by Fate. 646. O mother ! You also deserted me on the day of my birth,
wretched that I am ! Now, with a helpless mind, who is it
that I shall seek refuge with ? 657. O you revered sylvan deities ! (please) show me my beloved !
I have come to you for refuge; helpless in separation I
am dying !" 648. Thus having lamented for a long tim?, I thought to myself,
"Wnat is the use of my helpless crying like this, which is
not the way out (after all) ! 649. I do not see any way of alleviating my.sorrow, other than
death, so I will tie up a noose here on the sapta--cchada
tree”. 650. Thinking thus in my wind, I tied a knot of my bark-upper
garment; (and) I found a suitable (lit. desired by my heart)
branch which was like a path leading to the abode of Death. 651-652. With folded hands I saluted (God) and, medita
ting (for a while) in my mind, I said. "O Lord, Creator of all ! if I have done any good deed, let him be my beloved in the next birth as well. And let there not arise any such
misery (again).” 653. Saying this (to myself), as I hung myself up on that tree.
and as my life was about to end, I heard a voice in the
sky - 654. “Oh, no ! my daughter, do not indulge in this rash act !
Take confidence for a moment; I have come here, your
mother !" 654.1 Then, descending from the sky at oncs, my friend, my
mother cut off that noose and took me in her lap. 655. (She said), “I know, my girl, that hard-hearted sage, dedevoid of any attachment, has deserted you, though you were
innocent;