Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

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

Page 272

THE KIDNAPING OF SĪTĀ
237 fearlessly entered the extraordinary Daņdakāraṇya.167 Käkutstha made his dwelling in a cave-house in a large mountain in it and remained as comfortable as in his own house.
Story of Jațāyus (324-377) One day two flying ascetics, Trigupta and Sugupta, came through the air at dinnertime. They approached to break their fast, after fasting for two months, and the three-Rāma, Sītā, and Laksmana-paid homage to them devotedly. Sītā entertained them with suitable food and drink and then the gods made showers of rain and jewels. Then Ratnajațin, lord of the Vidyādharas of Kambudvipa, and two gods came there and, delighted, gave Rāma a chariot with horses.
A bird, named Gandha, came there because of the fragrance of the shower of perfume, having come down from a tree, which he inhabited, ill. At the mere sight of the muni, memory of his births was produced and he fell on the ground in a swoon, and Sītā sprinkled him with water. When he had regained consciousness, he fell at the sådhu's feet and was cured instantly by the magic art, the healing herb of touch,168 of the sādhu. His wings became golden; his bill resembled coral; his feet were like rubies; and his body had the color of various jewels; his top-knots on his head resembled rows of pearls; and from that time the bird's name was Jațāyus.
· Rāma asked the sages: "The vulture is evil-minded from flesh. Why did he become quiet at your feet? Blessed Ones, formerly his body was very lusterless. Why now was the color of a heap of gold and jewels produced instantly?"
Sugupta related: “Formerly there was a city, Kumbhakārakața, and its king, Daņdaka. At that time in Śrävasti there was King Jitaśatru ; his wife was Dhāriņi,
167 322. The name of a forest in the Deccan.
168 330. See I, pp. 75 ff. and n. III. Our sparsausadhi, of course, = amarśauşadhi.