Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

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

Page 227

192
CHAPTER FOUR
headed by Harivāhaņa, like hansas on a lotus. Kaikeyī, a jewel among maidens, decorated with jeweled ornaments, came to the svayamvara-pavilion like Lakşmi in person. Leaning on the arm of a woman door-keeper, looking at the kings in turn, like a digit of the moon looking at the constellations, she passed by many. She came in turn to Daśaratha, like the Gangā to the ocean, and stood on the same spot like a ship whose anchor has been dropped in water. At once, her body horripilated, joyfully Kaikeyi threw her groom's garland, like the tendrit of her arm, on him. The kings, Harivāhana, et cetera, thinking themselves humiliated, proud, blazed with anger, like a blazing fire.
"This wretch, solitary, ragged, was chosen by her. How will he protect her, miserable girl, if she is carried off by us?”.
Talking at length in this way angrily, they went to their camps and all put on their armor with their whole heart. King Subhamati armed himself eagerly with his fourfold army on Dasaratha's side. “Wife, you act as charioteer that I may crush the enemy,” Rāghava (Dasaratha), alone at that time, said to Kaikeyi. Kaikeyi took the reins and got into the chariot. For she, wise, was learned in the seventy-two arts. Carrying his bow and quiver, armored, King Daśaratha got into the chariot, esteeming his enemies like grass, though alone. Kaikeyi alone joined rapidly his chariot with the chariot of Harivāhana, et cetera, each one separately just as if simultaneously. Shooting rapidly, Daśaratha destroyed their chariots one by one, his strength unbroken like another Ākhaņdala. Thus he put to flight all the kings and married Kaikeyi like a living earth.
King Daśaratha, charioteer, said to his bride, "Ask for a boon, queen. I am delighted by your charioteering.” "I shall ask at the right time, master. Let my boon be kept on deposit," Kaikeyi said and the king agreed. The king went to Rājagrha with Kaikeyi like Śrī, with the
I3B