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SRI MAHĀPADMACARRICARITRA
95
and holding to a girth, putting his foot on another, he dismounted.
The king conjectured, “He is from a high family, judging by his strength and beauty,” and led him to his own house. The king married his hundred daughters to him. For such a bridegroom, come to the house, is gained by merit alone. Even though he was enjoying pleasures with them day and night, the memory of Madanāvali was like a constant wound in the prince.
One day as he was sleeping at night on a couch, like a hansa on a lotus, he was kidnaped by the Vidyādhari, Vegavatī, swift as the wind. Saying, "Why did you kidnap me, wretched girl, destroyer of sleep?" the prince raised his fist like a ball of adamant. She said: "Do not be angry, powerful one. Listen patiently. There is a city named Sūrodaya on Mt. Vaitādhya. Its king is Indradhanus, lord of Vidyadharas. His wife is named Śrīkāntā, and they have a daughter Jayacandrā. Because no suitable husband had been found, Jayacandrā became a man-hater. For women without husbands are dead while alive. I painted on canvas the pictures of the kings in Bharataksetra and showed them to her but none pleased her.
One day I had painted your picture and showed it to her and quickly a home was made in her heart at will by Love. Formerly hating men, then she hated life, thinking you a husband hard to win. Either Padma, the son of Padmottara, becomes my husband or death is my refuge,' she vowed to me. I told her parents that she was in love with you, and they were instantly delighted at the desire for a suitable husband. I, Vegavati, possessing a great vidyā, was sent by them to bring you, lord. To console her in love with you, I said: 'Fair maiden, be at ease. I shall go there today. I shall bring you Mahāpadma, sun to the lotus of the heart, or I shall enter the fire. Control your grief.' Comforting her with these words, I came here and am taking you, a depository of nectar, for
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