Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

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

Page 236

BIRTH, MARRIAGE, AND EXILE OF RĀMA AND LAKṢMAŅA 201 entered the maiden's house. Sītā saw Narada, tawnyhaired, tawny-eyed, with a prominent belly, carrying an umbrella, holding a staff, with a loin-cloth, emaciated, with a waving topknot, terrifying, and she, terrified, trembling, went to the interior of the house, crying, "O mother!" Then Narada was blocked by the slave-girls, women doorkeepers, et cetera, who seized him by the neck, topknot, and arms, creating a tumult. Because of their outcries royal servants came armed, like messengers of Yama, saying angrily, "Kill him!" Alarmed, Nārada freed himself from them somehow or other, flew up, and went to Vaitāḍhya, and reflected:
"I have escaped alive from the slave-girls, like a cow from tigresses. By good luck I have got to Vaitāḍhya which has many Vidyadhara-lords. There is here in the southern row, a young man, the son of Candragati, named Bhāmaṇḍala, powerful, whose power is like Indra's. I will paint Sītā on a canvas and show her to him, so he will take her away by force. I shall repay that (treatment) if
this is done."
Narada did just as he planned and showed Prince Bhāmandala Sita's form which had never been seen before in the three worlds. At once Bhamandala was overcome by Love like a demon. He could not sleep at all, like an elephant drawn to the Vindhya. He did not eat his food and did not drink his beverages, and remained silent like a yogi engaged in meditation. Seeing him thus distracted, King Candragati said: "Does some anxiety disturb you, or have you become ill? Or has an order been disobeyed by some one, or is it something else? Tell me, son, what is the cause of your grief?" Prince Bhamaṇḍala bent his head from shame twice over. How can well-born young men tell such things to their elders?
His friends told the reason of Bhamandala's distressthat he was in love with a young woman whose portrait had been brought by Narada. The best of kings had Narada brought to his house with respect quickly and