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CHAPTER EIGHT
Incarnation'as Šītalanātha (11-127)
Description of Bhadrilapura (11-15) Now in this very Bhāratakşetra in Jambudvīpa there is an excellent city, Bhadrilapura, fair with wealth. Its high golden wall encircled by a moat has the beautiful appearance of the wall of Jambūdvīpa encircled by the ocean. At evening the chain of lights lighted in its rows of shops looked like a golden necklace of the Srī of the city. Because of its great wealth resembling the quintessence of Bhogāvatī and Amarāvatī, it became the pleasure-ground of libertines and of prominent men.478 Here people begging for food are fed with many kinds of food at the food-dispensaries by rich men, like their own people at a festival.
His parents (16-25) In this city was established King Drdharatha, whose circle of enemies had been defeated, who had covered the earth-circle, like the ocean. He was extremely modest about his virtues, which were constantly described by the throng of sages, as if they were vices. He gave to beggars the wealth taken by force from his enemies, as if making atonement for the fault of theft. Kings, falling repeatedly on the ground before him, touching the ground with their bodies, attained kingship after a long time. Even an atom of instruction in knowledge given by gurus spread in him, very intelligent, like a drop of oil in water.
His wife, named Nandā, delighting the heart, was a virtuous wife, the chief of virtuous wives, like Mandākini, the chief of rivers. Even rājahańsīs were considered to be pupils in the art of walking, as it were, of her who moved charmingly with very, very slow steps. Whenever she spoke with fragrant breath, her speech became a charm for attracting bees. The only similarity to this beautiful
478 14. Bhujangavịndāraka, also meaning 'Nāgas and gods' with reference to the two cities.
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