________________
VIMALANĀTHACARITRA
99
were fate, but all took it on their heads like a tuft of hair tied up for protection. 141
Birth of Bhadra (91-96)
Now in Bharatakṣetra in the city Dvārakā there was a king, Rudra, deep as the ocean. He had two wives, Suprabha and Pṛthivi, like beauty and the earth in person, charming with a wealth of beauty and virtues. Nandisumitra's soul fell from Anuttaravimana and descended into Queen Suprabha's womb. Near the end of the night Queen Suprabha, comfortably asleep, saw the four great dreams indicating the birth of a Halabhṛt. Then after nine months, seven and a half days, Suprabha bore a son, not inferior to the moon in color. King Rudra gave him the name Bhadra and he gradually increased in size together with the auspicious fortune of his family.
Birth of Svayambhū (97–101)
Dhanamitra's soul fell from the heaven Acyuta and was generated in Queen Prthivi's womb like a lotus in a pool. Near dawn, comfortably asleep, she saw the seven great dreams, which indicate the birth of a Sārngabhṛt, enter her mouth. When the time was completed, she bore a son with a dark body, very shining, like the ground of Mt. Vaiḍūra bearing cat's-eye. King Rudra, delighted, gave him the name Svayambhu at a great festival. Cared for constantly by five nurses he thrived, like the blameless penance of an ascetic thriving from the five kinds of carefulness.142
Bhadra and Svayambhu, fair and dark, like the streams of the Ganga and Yamuna, were always joined by affection. Princes could not endure their kicks, since even mountains were destroyed by their feet like bludgeons. Wearing dark blue and yellow garments, with palm tree
141 90. See I, n. 295. 142 IOI. See I, n. 37.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
