________________
331
the art of flying in the air, visibility of distant objects and other witchchcrafts, heartily satisfied at the utterance of the word "Hun" removing the pride of Rati-wife of the God of Love by her ins) nieable chirn of beauty, adorned with superhuman powers of eight kinds common with Animă, and who are wor shipped even by gods. What wonder there is in it that other people are not disrespeetful towards them ! Even the enraged God of Love is afraid of their immense strength Old age capable of removing the pride of gods, demi-gods, yaksas and räksasa does not influence them as they are usually unenterruptedly in youth.
Eulogistic inscriptions of mountain-slabs declare even now, the entire biographies of ancient kings, in the same manner, that will give an accurate description of the town containing & number of such powerful sorceresses.
I a sorceress Candralekha by name am living in this town and my elder sister Candrakāatā who is staying with Vidya. siddha, is clever in varions witchcrafts, she is extremely hardsome and she stands fourth among worshipful sorceresees" Gobhadra, said ' O sister! Who is that Vidyasiddha! What is bis name? and how is it that he is so powerful ! Besides, why does your elder sister follow him? Now, tell me all this I am very curious to know it. Candralékhā said “Well, I am going to tell you now just, listen :-Iśānschandra is a son of Dama rasinda unit:d in wed-lock with a sorceress named Kāmarupă. He acquired numerous witchcrafts, and he performed a sacrifice with one lac and eight Bilva fruits (Ægle Marmelos) before Go. ddess Kā pāyaui without any transgression, with the object of accomplishing all his desirable wishes. When the goddess was not satisfled with the sacrifice, drawing out & sword, he began to cut his own throat and without caring for his life, as soon as he cut nearly half his throat, the Goddess Rudrani at once snatched away the sword from his hand. Vidyasiddha sald “O goddess! Be satisfied with this much and accept my worship of your lotus-like head.” She replied “O son! I am pleased with
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
