Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

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

Page 54

ŚRĪ ARANATHACARITRA
cleverness. I was troubled because I did not see a suitable husband for her and Jinamati asked me, 'Why are you anxious, husband?' 'I am worried, fair lady, because I do not find anywhere a suitable husband for your daughter, though I am searching for him.' Jinamati said, 'Sheth, you must find the best husband, some one for whom we will feel no regret, husband.' I said, 'Fate is in control in this case. For everyone desires his own good. No one desires little for himself.'
After this conversation I went to the bazaar and saw Rşabhadatta, a wealthy trader who had come from Tamralipti. Because of the same religion, we had friendly conversation about business-news, like old friends. One day he came to my house for some reason and looks at my daughter Priyadarśanā for a long time. He asked me, 'Whose daughter is she?' and I replied, 'She is my daughter. Why do you look at her for a long time?' Rṣabhadatta said: 'Sheth, I have a son, named Virabhadra, grown-up, well-behaved. He surpasses Kandarpa in beauty, Kavi (Sukra) in skill in poetry, Vacaspati in eloquence, Vardhaki (Tvaştr) in skill in crafts, Hühū in song, Tumbaru on the lute, Bharata in drama, Narada in sports. He changes his form like a god by the use of pills, et cetera. What is the use of saying more? There is no art which he does not know as well as the Creator. I have not seen anywhere a girl suitable for him, but this girl whom I have seen after a long time is suitable for him.'
I said: "This daughter of mine is very expert in the arts. For a long time I have been worried about a suitable husband. By a favorable fate this meeting of ours was a good thing. At last let our children be united as bride and groom.
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Delighted at finding a suitable daughter-in-law he went to his own city and sent Virabhadra with a large procession of friends. When I saw Virabhadra, I felt great satisfaction because I saw that his beauty and virtues agreed with his father's description. On an auspicious day