________________
118
womb. Then while she was asleep during the last of the night, she saw the seven great dreams indicating the birth of a Särngabhṛt entering her mouth. When the time was completed she bore a son, the shining color of sapphire, marked with all the marks. On an auspicious day, the father gave the appropriate name, Purusottama, to the fourth Sarngabhṛt.
CHAPTER FOUR
Their childhood (III-115)
Wearing blue and yellow garments, with palm treeand garuda-banners, long-armed, companions from affection, they looked like twins. By means of a teacher, they grasped all the arts. This is the power of former births of such noble persons. Other soldiers could not endure even a playful blow from them. An elephant kills just by touch, a serpent just by smelling. 104 They, resembling the wind in strength, gradually attained youth, like the pleasure-grove of Śris, purifying the body. The jewels, which produce victory, were given by the gods to the menjewels: the plough, et cetera, to the elder; Sarnga, et cetera, to the younger. 165
When he had seen Bala and Hari exceedingly strong, Nārada, eager for strife, jumped up and went to the house of Madhu, the Prativisņu. Knowing what was fitting, Madhu received him respectfully, bowed and said to him: "Welcome, great muni. By good fortune you have come within my sight. All the kings in this half of Bharata are my servants and also the gods-the lords of Magadha, Varadāman, and Prabhāsa. Tell fearlessly what your purpose is, with reference to any object or any place here, that I may grant it, Nārada." Nārada said: "I came here for amusement. I have no motive concerning any object or place. You are vainly
164 113. Nāgas are supposed to have poisonous breath. Crooke, p. 387; Indian Serpent Lore, p. 15 et passim.
See above,
165 115. Śarnga was the name of Vasudeva's bow. P. 44.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
