Lilavati Sara

Author(s): Jinratnasuri, H C Bhayani, N M Kansara
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 26

Introduction
17
of women indiscriminately. He is then caught, punished with death and is consigned to hell for a very long time. Continuing to indulge in sensuality, he undergoes various beastly births. In response to the king's request to elaborate the topic with concrete illustrations, Samarasenasūri narrated the following story (17-31) :
The Story of Padmaratba (3
King Sankha of Mathurā in the Sürasena country had by his wife Kamalāvati a son named Padmaratha, who grew into a handsome youth. In the same city, the rich merchant Dhana begot a son named Nandana in his wife. Nandana was married to Sulakşaņā, the daughter of another marchant named Sagaradatta.
Once there cane a rope-dancer couple in the city, They gave a public performnce. Nandana was pleased and presented one lac gold coins in appreciation, at which the spectators praised him, but some jealous persons remarked that the boy was squandering away his father's money. Nandana was hurt to the quick and, in order to earn himself, he left for another country for trade. Sulaksaņā accompanied Nandana, but as she fell ill, she returned home. Dhana asked her father to keep her, but on Sāgaradatta's insistance she lived with Dhana's family,
Once duriag the rainy season she happen:d to see prince Padmaratha passing on the road. Becoming enamoured of him, she arranged a rendezvous. The prince visited her clandestinely every midnight. Being informed by her maid servant, Dhana reported this to Sagaradatta. The latter pressed his daughter go to live with him, but Sulaksaņā would not go under one pretext or another. At last, they approached the king. The king ordered the prince to go to distant lands on a mission, but he refused. Instead he decided in consultation with his mother, to poison and thus get ride of his father. The Ring ordered to arrest both but they fled to another country. Padmaratha learnt there the charm of becoming iavisible. He secretly returned to his native city, and began to seduce the inmates of the royal harem. At last he was detected by means of a stratagem and was executed. Thus he diet a painful death as a consequence of indulgence in delusion and sensuality.
The Story of Catamañjari (206-236)
The soul of Padmaratha was reborn us an extremely beautiful girl
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