Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

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

Page 239

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CHAPTER FOUR Then Janaka's door-keeper said: "Listen! all you kings, Vidyadharas and of earth. Janaka proclaims: 'If any one strings either one of these bows today, he may marry my daughter.'” One by one the powerful Vidyādharas and the kings approached the bow with the wish to string it. They were not able even to touch the bows surrounded by cruel serpents and very brilliant, to say nothing of taking them. Burned by sparks and flames emanating repeatedly from the bows, they withdrew and went elsewhere, their faces downcast from shame. Then Rāma, the son of Daśaratha, his golden earrings dangling, with the easy gait of a lordly elephant, approached the bow. Being watched with laughter by Candragati and other kings, and with anxiety by Janaka, the elder brother of Lakşmaņa, fearlessly touched with his hand the great bow. Vajrävarta, like Vajrapaņi touching the thunderbolt, whose fire from the serpents became extinct at once. After placing it on an iron seat and bending it like a reed, Rāma, best of bowmen, strung the bow. Drawing it back to his ear, he twanged the bow with a noise that filled the space between heaven and earth, like the drum of his own glory. Maithali herself threw the svayamvarawreath on Rāma and Rāmabhadra removed the bowstring from the bow. Lakşmaņa strung the bow Arņavāyarta at once at Rāma's command, watched by the astonished people. Saumitra (Lakşmaņa) twanged it, making the sky deaf from the sound, removed the bowstring, and put the bow back in its place. Eighteen Vidyādharas, alarmed and astonished, gave their daughters, wonderful as goddesses, to Saumitra. Candragati and other Vidyādhara-lords, embarrassed, accompanied by Bhāmandala who was depressed, went to their respective cities. Then Daśaratha came quickly at Maithala's message and Rāma's and Sītā's wedding took place with a great festival.
Then Janaka's brother, Kanaka, gave Bharata his daughter Bhadrā borne by Suprabhā. With his sons and