________________
ce
128
CHAPTER THREE slowly, slowly, like a marāli. She, depressed, a jewel-box for the jewel of good conduct, sat on the bank of the tank, miserable, purifying the city by her glance.
Řtuparna was king there, like Garuda in strength and Candrayaśas, whose glory was brilliant as the moon, was his wife. The slave-girls of Candrayaśas went there to get water and engaged in sport with each other, their pitchers placed on their heads. The slave-girls saw her like a goddess that had fallen into misfortune. For a lotus, though mired in mud, is still a lotus. Astonished, seeing Bhaimi's beauty, they entered the tank slowly, slowly and left it slowly, slowly. They went and described her, how beautiful she was, to their mistress Candrayaśas, like a treasure that had been found.
Candrayaśas said to them, ‘Bring her here. She will be like a sister to my daughter Candravati.' They went quickly to the same vicinity of the tank and saw her facing the city, like Lakşmi. They said: 'In that city King ķtuparņa's queen, Candrayaśas, summons you respectfully. She says, “ You are my daughter, like Candravati.” So come, lady. Make an offering of a handful of water to your troubles. 144 If you remain here, distracted, you will experience misfortune, possessed by evil Vyantaras, et cetera who have used trickery.' So Davadanti, her heart softened by the speech of Candrayaśas, won over by affection for the state of being a daughter, set out. She was conducted to the palace by them bowed with respect, saying, ‘Mistress, you are the adopted daughter of our mistress.'
Candrayaśas was a full sister of Puşpadanti, Bhaimi's mother, but Bhima's daughter did not know, 'She is my mother's sister.' On the other hand, Candrayaśas knew, 'Davadanti is my niece,' but did not recognize her seen (only) as a child. However, the queen saw her even at a distance with the affection for a daughter. Surely the heart is the authority for deciding on what is loved or not loved:
144 763. As if at their funeral rites.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
