Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

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

Page 151

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CHAPTER ONE
Vidyādharī, a young maiden with an irreproachable form, stood near him at her father's command. Then she said aloud to Ratnaśravas, “I am a mahăvidyā, by name Mänavasundari, and have been won by you.” Ratnaśravas, by whom a vidyā had been won, dropped the rosary, looked at the Vidyadharī standing in front of him, and said to her: "Why have you come here? Whose daughter are you? Who are you?” She replied: "In Kautakamangala, the home of many curiosities, there is a famous king of Vidyadharas, Vyomabindu. His elder daughter, Kausikā, my sister, is married to King Viśravas, lord of Yaksapura. She has a son, skilled in polity, named Vaiśramaņa, who now rules in Lanka by order of Sakra. But I, Kaikasī, Kauśikā's younger sister, have come here, given to you by my father in accordance with an astrologer's prediction." Sumālin's son summoned his relatives and married her on the spot; founded the city of Puşpåntaka, and remained there, amusing himself with her.
Birth of Rāvana (144-164) One day in a dream Kaikasi saw a lion, in the act of tearing an elephant's boss, enter her mouth. At dawn she related the dream and Ratnaśravas interpreted, “You will have a son, who will be arrogant to all, powerful.” From the time of that dream the wife of Ratnaśravas constantly made offerings in the shrines and carried her very precious embryo. From the time of the embryo's conception Kaikasi's speech became very harsh and her body firm, free from fatigue. She looked at her face in a sword, even if a mirror were at hand; she began to give orders fearlessly even in dominion over the gods. Without any cause she spoke harshly with contemptuous expressions. She did not bow her head at all even to gurus. For a long time she wished to put her foot on the heads of the wise. From the power of her embryo she acquired cruel characteristics such as these.