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190
CHAPTER FOUR
Arhats faultless as well as his sovereignty inherited from his family. The king married the pure daughter of King Sukośala, lord of the city Dabhrasthala, born of Amṛtaprabhā, Aparăjită by name, endowed with beauty of form and grace, like the Śri of victory in battle. Dasaratha married in Kamalasankula the daughter of Subandhutilaka and of Queen Mitra, named Kaikeyi for a first name, with another name, Sumitrā, because she was born of Mitra and was good-tempered, like the moon marrying Rohini. He married another princess, faultless, the embodiment of virtue, grace, and beauty, named Suprabha. With these the best of kings enjoyed sensuous pleasure without injuring duty and wealth-he, the crest-jewel of discernment.
Plan to kill Dasaratha and Janaka (127-149)
Now, while Daśakandhara was enjoying half of Bharata, present in his council, he asked an expert astrologer: "Even the immortals are immortal in name only, not in fact. Death is certainly inevitable for everyone in the ocean of worldly existence. Will my death come from natural course of time or from an enemy? Tell me that fearlessly. For the wise speak clearly." He replied, "Your death will result from a future son of Dasaratha because of a future daughter of Janaka."
Bibhiṣaṇa said: "Even if his speech is always true, I shall quickly make that speech of his untrue. I shall kill Janaka and Dasaratha, who have become the seed of the worthless son and daughter. May we be successful. For if their very birth is prevented by the destruction of the seed, then the astrologer's words will be false, surely." Rāvana agreed and Bibhiṣaṇa went to his own house. Närada, who had been present and heard that, went to Dasaratha. Dasaratha got up to greet the divine sage while he was far off, bowed to him, and seated him with honor, like a guru. Asked, "Where have you come from?" Nārada said: "I have gone to Punḍarīkiņi in East Videha
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