________________
Tapati and Samvarana
121
to begin the day's oblations, his family priest, the sage Vasishtha, revealed himself to him and said : "Samvarana, I have been watching you all these days. I am convinced of your devotion to Tapati, and her fondness for you. But you will never succeed in invoking her father. So I have decided to intervene. I am on my way to the Adityamandala. I shall try and persuade him to approve of his daughter's worthy choice.” He disappeared.
The moment Vasishtha arrived in the Adityamandala (the Sun's realm), great rejoicing followed. Seated in the Sun's personal carriage, drawn by seven ruddy horses with the god himself as the charioteer, Vasishtha drove to the divine palace where he was received with a veneration that even the Trimurthis would have envied. All the minor devas and rishis, accompanied by their consorts and children, followed one after another and prostrated themselves before him. He blessed them all suitably. Now it was Tapati's turn. When she was about to kneel before him, he stared at her searchingly as though she were trying to hide something from him. The Sun looked on nervously. Turning to him the great sage observed : "Have you received any proposals for Tapati?" "O rishi of rishis," replied the Sun God, "not without your knowledge."
"I have brought one, and I hope you will accept it.” "If it has your approval, it has mine too."
"It is from Samvarana, the King of Hastinapura, now in exile. I am his family priest. I do not think I need add anything more."
"Perhaps Tapati would like to see him, before we consider his proposal." Her father looked at Tapati expecting her to TM-9
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
