Lilavati Sara

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

Page 50

Introduction
Once, when Surandhara was standing with her in the palace balcony, be saw a thief being seated on a donkey and taken to the prison, and he drew attention to it by addressing her as Surasundari. Greatly offended at this Priyadarśanā told him that her name was Priyadarśanä, while Surasundari was her elder sister who had married at her own choice Kusumasekhara of Bhrgukaccha. Surandhara realised that he was cheated by her father, but he did not blame her because he loved her. When Surandhara remarked that for him she was as good as Surasundari. Priyadarsanã thanked him for the compliment, and added that in reality, she was just nothing in comparison with her elder sister in point of beauty. At this the prince did not say anything, but decided to acquire Surasundari anyhow. To this end he remembered the Vaimāpika god and asked him to Ridnap Surasundari and bring her to him. The god tried to dissuade him from the sinful course, but the prİnce was insistant Soe god kidnapped Surasundari when she was asleep with her husband. She woke up and cried for help. The prince with his guards rushed to rescue her. They followed the god who was carrying her away in the sky. The parents were worried as the prince did not return and prepared to enter fire, but the minister, taking an astrologer into confidence, got the prediction that the prince would return safe and triumphant after six months.
On the other hand, when the prince reached the forest in pursuit of the god, the latter informed him that he had kidnapped Surasundari just to keep bis promise to Surandhara, that he himself was not at all interested in the matter, and that she would be united again with Kusum asekhara after six months. Having said that the god disappeared. The prince slept under a tree. He was bitten by a snake and became unconscious.
King Rāmadava had by his queen Rāmadevi, a daughter named Ramanamati, who despised males. The king was worried about her marriage and consulted an astrologer, who predicted that she would marry a greatman who was at that moment lying unconscious in the forest. So Rāmadeva got the prince brought to him. The prince was cured of the poison, was married to Ramanamati. and he lived happily with her.
Oace, when the king asked him how he came to the forest where he lay unconscious, the prince related his account and told them about Surasundari aud their bad luck. Ramanamati sympathetically pointed out that if he worshipped at Mount Priyamelaka for four months in her company, he would be reunited with Surasondari. The prince undertook the worship. At the end of four months Surasundari all of a sudden arrived there
L-6