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CHAPTER THREE
Then the best of the Yadus, unseen by any one, went back to Dhanada's presence the same way by which he had come. When the scion of the Yadus began to tell him the news, then Dhanada said, “I already know all.” In the presence of the Sāmānikas Dhanada praised him, “Of this noble man there is unchangeable conduct.”
Praising him in these words, Dhanada gave Vasudeva at that very time a pair of garments of devadūşya imbued with divine perfume, named Surapatipriya (Pleasing to Indra), a crest-jewel, Suraprabha (Bright as the sun), a pair of earrings, Dakagarbha (Clouds), a necklace,96 Śaśimayukha (Moonbeam), two armlets, Lalitaprabha (Bright as lightning), a necklace of twenty-seven pearls named Ardhaśāradā (Half-moon),97 a pair of bracelets adorned with various gems, Sudarśana (Beautiful), a girdle of various jewels, Smaradāruņa (Cruel to Love), and divine wreaths and divine ointment. He, feeling gratified, put them on and resembled Dhanada.
After seeing Vasudeva looking like this and favored by Dhanada, the brother-in-law and the others, who had come with him, all rejoiced greatly. At that time Hariscandra came there from curiosity, bowed to Dhanada with hands folded respectfully, and declared, “ The country of Bhārata is favored today, o god, by you, since you have come here wishing to see the svayamvara.” Saying this, he prepared the pavilion for the svayamvara and had platforms, beautiful with many kinds of seats, made.
Warding off heat from the earth by the shadow of his car, with a series of moons shown by the row of erect white lotuses, fanned by gods who were caressed by the fingers of goddesses, making dance, as it were, the rays of light thrown out by lightning, being hymned by bards like the sun by the
96 174. Hāra is a very elaborate necklace with many strings of pearls, 108 according to Abhi. 3. 323.
97 175. Ardhaśāradā. A surmise, but surely analogous to śäradi, the night of full moon in Kärttika or Asvina.' MW...
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