________________
215
Vikrams Kumär's palace and having saluted the prince, they took their seats on one side with their faces darkened with deep mourning. On seeing them desttute of alacrity, the prince in. quired:-Ah! why do you suddenly look overwhelmed with grief. Now, tell me what is the cause of this? With their throak choked up for a while, with hot and deep sighs, the ministers of the king, wiping their eyes filled with the flow of unceasing tears caused by bewilderment of unbearable separa. tlon, said “ O Kumāra ! What else can we-unformpate persons -say! Kumara sald:-What is it?" They replled:-A loug unendurable separation from you is ordained. On knowing their ideas by his cleverness in learning internal thoughts by exter. nal gestures the Kumăra said:-"Is it that my father orders for me banishment from his kingdom out of anger? The ministers said:-"How can we utter the words which even the gods are afraid of using". Then, after due reception with clothes betet leaf-packets etc, the ministers went away. Nara-Vikrama Kumāra then, summoned his domestic servants to his presence and told them:-O good men ! my father, enraged with me for wounding the temples of Jaya-kunjara elephant, has ordered banishment from his kingdom for me, you go home, you can come back at a suitable time." Having fully satisfied his servants Nara- Vikrama Kumāra sent then home, full of towards him. Now, he told Silavati:-"Dear 1 You go to your father you can return at a suitable time". On hearing these harsh words, Silavati unable to endure even a moment's pain of separation began to lament loudly with a constant flow of dark tears blackened by collirium on her eyes--resembling the dark waters of river Yamupã (Jamna). Nara-Vikrama Kumara made his queen calm by sweet words of various kinds but she was not, in the least, willing to have a moment's separation. The Kumāra again persuading her, said:- Dear ! Uneven, Impassable roads and paths are unsuitable and annoying for persons who have brought up in happiness from birth; you have not still regalmed your usual strength; besides, your two children are dependent on you. Do me the favour, therefor of desisting from this ill
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
