Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

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

Page 259

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CHAPTER FIVE
bow is unendurable, to say nothing of the shooting of the arrow," the Mleccha-king approached Rāma. His weapons laid aside, his face sad, he descended from his chariot and bowed to Rāmabhadra, watched angrily by Saumitra. He said: “Your Majesty, in the city Kaušāmbi there is a Brāhman, Vaiśvānara, and his wife Sāvitri. I am their son, Rudradeva. Because of cruel karma, from birth I was a thief and devoted to other men's wives. There is nothing which I, wicked, did not do. Then one day I was found at the entrance to a tunnel by the royal servants and was led away to be impaled at the king's command. I, miserable, was seen near the stake, like a goat near the slaughter-house, by a merchant-layman and was freed because he paid a fine. Saying, 'Do not steal again,' the noble merchant dismissed me and I left the country. Wandering about, I came to this village and, known here by another name, Kāka, I gradually reached the villageheadship. Remaining here, I had cities, etc. looted by robbers. I myself have gone and captured even kings and brought them here for ransom. I am obedient to you, like a Vyantara. Give me orders, master. What shall I, a servant, do? Pardon my lack of respect.” The king of Kirātas was answered by Rāma, "Free Välikhilya." He set him free and Vālikhilya bowed to Rāghava. At Rāma's command he was conducted by Kāka to Kübara again and saw his own daughter, Kalyāṇamālā, dressed in men's clothes. Kalyāṇamālikā and Vālikhilya related to each other the news about Rama and Lakşmaņa. Kāka went to his own village and Rama set forth and reached the river Tāpī, after crossing the Vindhya-forest.
Episode of Kapila (124-162) After he had crossed the Tāpī, as he advanced Rāma came to a village, Aruņagrāma, situated on the border of that country. As Sītā was thirsty, Rāma and Lakşmaņa went to the house of Kapila, who maintained the agni
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