Lilavati Sara

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

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Lilāvati-sära
wives. Thereafter Somabhadra was reborn as Madanaman jūşā and Sudarsapā was reborn as Madanasalākā. Somadata was reborn as the god who narrated this. (The sub-story ends here.)
(The story of Madanamañjūşā resumed)
Thus reminded of her past birth, Madaraman jūşã wanted to renounce the world and become a Jaina nun, but the god asked her to wait for some time since sh: had yet to experience fruits of some past deeds. When she enquired about the fate of her son of the past birth, the god narrated the following story :
(The Sub-story of Amaraketu) (279-578)
The soul of Somāditya was reborn as Amaraketu, the son of a devout king Naravāhana and his queen Kamalāvati of the city of Medicitilaka in the Kaccha region of the Ebārata country. After proper education, he was crowned king by his father, who then renounced the world. Amaraketu was an addict to the pleasures of the sense of hearing. He neglected the royal duties and passed his time in the company of musicians, whom he showered with presents. He had patronised a troup of musicians. The wife of the leader of the group was always near the king's bedside singing as per his wishes. The king presented to her gold, jewels, clothes even villages and cities. The minister Vipalamati, who was worried about the depleted royal treasury, tried to draw king's attention to this and to the scandal d 19 to his association with the musician's wife, who was an untouchable. The kiog got angry. The minister thought discretion to b: the better part of valour and somehow pacified the king on the occisioa. The incident came to be known to the people. Their c equent dizafection for the king was brought to his attention but to no effect.
Once the king confiscated the land and property of the feudal lord named Arisimha without any offence and transfered them to the inusician. Arisimha had secret consultations with other feudal chieftains and ministers. They batched a plot, installed the king's stepbrother on the throne, and threw Amaraketu into the river. The story of Amaraketu ends here.)
(The story of Madagamañjüşā resumed)
Concluding his account, the god advised Madanaman jūșa to proceed immediately to the forest where Amaraketu was lyiog, take him to the city of Nabha-ábharana and marry him to her sister Madan Saläkā He