Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 2 Vibhag 1

Author(s): Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker
Publisher: Parimal Publication

Page 483

414
only from a distance. The King satisfied him with a hearty embrace, and made him enter the town with great pomp. The bride groom and his party were given suitable residence and everything else suitable for the occasion was promptly done. Eventually, on the marriage-day, Surasena Kumāra put on valuable ornaments and beautiful clothes, after the auspicious bath, and riding an excellent elephant, he went to the marriage-pavilion, with all the directions filled with the deep sound of conch drums, and other musical instruments, with the townsfolk bearing banners on gold-staffs, with dramatic performances combined with auspicious songs, and with courtezan-girls dancing in excellent circles with delightful clapping of hands. There, the mother in law of the prince did the appropriate ceremony. Surasena Kumāra then sat in the inner hall of the pavilion. There he saw Ratnavali, attired in pure silk garments, decorated with jewelled ornaments arranged beautifully on various parts of her body, besmeared with sandal-paste and resplendent with white fragrant garlands. On seeing her, Surasena Kumara had instantly an intense emo tion of love towards her on account of deep affection in previous life. He reflected :-"Ah! her unique wealth of beauty; Ah! her animpaired comeliness; Really even such excellent girls are met with in this worthless Samsara." When Surasena Kumāra was, thus, being extremely delighted at heart, the ceremony of "recep tion" of the bride-groom was over. The family-gods and teachers were then very respectfully worshipped and the ceremony of joining the hand of the bride-groom with that of the bride in marriage-contract was performed with great pomp. The King was immensely pleased. The feudatory princes of the King were given hospitable reception, family-members were hospitably enter. tained, and the townsfolk were honoured. The bride-groom and the bride went four times round the sacred weddingfire. The marriage-ceremony thus came to an end, Sūrasena Kumāra then passed some days in unique enjoyment of the pleasure of sen. sual happiness with Ratnavali.
One day, Surasena Kumāra accompanied by Ratnavali commenced his journey towards his own capital town, with the
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