Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

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

Page 356

SĪTĀ'S PURIFICATION AND TAKING OF THE VOW 321 every dry place, at every water, at every hill, at every tree, Rāma searched and did not find Jänaki. After a long time Rama thought with great grief, "I think Sītā has been devoured by a tiger or lion or some other wild animal." With hope abandoned of finding Sītā, he returned to his own city and was blamed repeatedly by the citizens, reciting Sitā's virtues. With a tearful face Padma performed Sītā's funeral rites, looking upon the universe as consisting of Sitä, or rather, as a void. She alone remained before Rāma's eyes in his heart and speech. “Sītā lives somewhere," but he did not know.
Yes.
.
.
Her twin sons (35-116) Now Vaidehi bore twin sons there, named Anangalavana and Madanānkusa. Vajrajangha held their birthand name-festivals and, noble-minded, rejoiced more than at gaining a son of his own. Both grew up gradually, cherished by nurses, wayward in play, like the two Asvins living on earth. They became suitable for acquiring the arts, long-armed, suitable for teaching, like young elephants, festivals for the king's eyes.
Then a far advanced layman, Siddhārtha by name, who had taken the lesser vows, endowed with a wealth of magic powers, expert in the arts and the Āgamas, flying through the air by jumps on pilgrimages to the shrines on Mt. Meru at dawn, noon, and sunset, came to Vaidehi's house for alms. He was refreshed gladly by Vaidehi with food, drink, et cetera and, questioned by her about his happy wandering, he told about it. Questioned by him also, Vaidehi told her own story from the beginning up to her sons' birth just as if to a brother. Siddhartha, expert in the eight kinds of omens,106 an ocean of compassion, said: “Why do you grieve uselessly when Lavana and Ankuśa are your sons ? Your sons, with preeminent characteristics, like Rama and Lakşmaņa in person, will soon fulfil your wish."
195 43. See III, p. 211.