Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 3

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

Page 44

ŚREYANSANĀTHACARITRA
15 Her navel was endowed with depth like a pleasure pool of Smara. The very large surface of her hips was like the slope of Ratnācala. Her thighs were like pillars of plantain, gradually rounding; her feet with straight lower legs were like lotuses with erect stalks. With her limbs thus endowed with the fresh beauty of youth, she looked like the supreme goddess of the Vidyādhara-women.
: As Mrgāvati's youthful beauty increased, likewise Bhadrā's anxiety in regard to a suitable husband increased. With the idea, “The king, as well as I, should think about her husband," one day Queen Bhadrā had her brought before him. As if he did not know that she was his own daughter because of the agitation produced by the arrow of Love, Ripupratiśatru thought in his heart: “Oh, here is loveliness of the body, a conquering arrow of Manobhu, wayward from the ease of victory over the women of the three worlds. Sovereignty of the earth is easy to acquire and even sovereignty of heaven, but this girl, dear to my heart, is very hard to acquire. She is at hand because of my merit acquired in other births, excelling even the merit of gods, asuras, and kings.”
With these reflections, the king at once took her, dear as life, on his lap with affectionate words. Fixing her in his affection by touches, embraces, and kisses, he had her taken to the women's quarters by old chamberlains.
Summoning the citizens together with the ministers in order to avoid censure from the people, the king asked, "Any jewel that is found in my country, in villages, cities, or elsewhere, whose jewel is it? Decide.” The people said,
Whatever jewel is produced anywhere in your country, you alone are its master. No one else can be.” After he had obtained this decision three times, the king quickly showed them his daughter Mțgāvatī. He said to them again, " This is my jewel of a daughter. Now I shall marry her myself with your consent.” The citizens went to their own homes, ashamed at this speech. The king married her with a Gandharva-marriage. Because he was the