Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 3

Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra

Page 252

FIVE PREVIOUS INCARNATIONS
223
Now, Mārīci entered the city Camaracañcā and went to Aśanighosa's mother in his house. There he saw Sutārā, like a lotus injured by cold, like a cow mired in mud, like a creeper reached by fire, like a doe caught in a snare, like a digit of the moon standing in the sky, like a fish lying on a bank, like a cow-elephant captured in an elephant-trap, like a hansi that has reached a desert, fasting, exceedingly grieved, repeating her husband's name alone like a charm. Then he explained fully to Aśanighosa's mother, “I am ordered by Amitatejas to take away Sutārā.” Asanighosa's mother took Sutārā with her and went to Acala Svāmin's assembly where Sutārā's husband was. She delivered at that time Sutārā to Śrīvijaya and Amitatejas, uninjured, just as if she had been deposited in trust. She worshipped Baladeva, a blessed omniscient, and sat down in the proper place, being in favor.
Then Aśanighosa asked forgiveness of the kings of men and Vidyādharas, Srivijaya and Amitatejas, in a conciliatory speech. Then all remained in the assembly, their hostility allayed, and Acala Svāmin delivered a sermon which conferred purification. At the end of the sermon Aśanighosa, his hands placed together touching his forehead, declared to the great muni, Balabhadra:
"Sutārā was not kidnaped by me, while she was occupying her own home, like a lotus by an elephant, with evil intention. But, formerly I had gone from the city Camaracañcă to the temple of the Blessed Muni Jayanta and there I, reciting something like a bee, and fasting for seven days, had subdued the vidya Bhrämari. When I was on the way home, I saw Sutārā here with Śrīvijaya in the grove Jyotiryana. For some reason love that is outside the sphere of words arose in me at the mere sight of her. Then I thought, 'I can not go without her.” My mind is eager, as if it were completely joined (to hers). While she is by the side of powerful King Srivijaya, she can not be taken, like the crest-jewel of Seşa. After deluding the king by the vidyā Pratāraṇī, I seized her, like a kite a