Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

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

Page 358

SITA'S PURIFICATION AND TAKING OF THE VOW 323 presence of all the kings, desiring Ankuśa as a bridegroom for his daughter.
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King Vajrajangha encamped there and Muni Nārada came and was entertained by him very well. Vajrajangha said to Nārada among the seated kings: "Pṛthu will give his own daughter to Ankuśa, muni. Tell him connected by marriage with us about the family of Lavana and Ankuśa, so he will be satisfied when the family of his son-in-law is known.' Then Narada said with a smile: "Who does not know their family of which Blessed Rṣabhadhvaja is the bulb for its origin, et cetera. In their family were the cakrins, Bharata, and others, celebrated in story. Who does not know their actual fathers, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa? Janaki was abandoned by Rāma frightened by scandal arising among the people of Ayodhya, while they were still unborn." Then Ankuśa laughed and said: "O Brāhman, that was not well done by Rama who abandoned Vaidehi in a cruel forest. For there are many reasons for criticism of him in that repudiation. Why did he, though intelligent, do this?" Lavana asked, "How far is this city in which my father dwells with his younger brother and attendants?" The muni said, "Ayodhya, the city in which lives your father, who alone in the world is spotless, is a hundred and sixty yojanas from here." Lavana said to Vajrajangha respectfully, "We wish to go there and see Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa." He consented to that; and married Ankuśa with Kanakamālā, Prthu's daughter, with a great festival.
Accompanied by Vajrajangha and Pṛthu, Lavaṇa and Ankuśa went to Lokapura, subjugating many countries. There they conquered on the battle-field its king, who was named Kuberakanta, endowed with fortitude and valor, proud. They conquered Ekakarna, King of the Lampākas, and next Bhrātṛśata, king in the plateau Vijaya. Crossing the Ganga, they went to the north of Kailāsa and there they subdued countries beautiful as Nandana. Defeating the kings, Ruşa, Kuntala, Kälämbu, Nandi, Nandana, Sinhala,