________________
CHAPTER FIVE
permission of the lord of Dasarhas. One day there Kansa in company with Jivayasas said to Šauri: "There is a very large city, Mṛttikāvati by name. My paternal uncle, named Devaka, is king there. He has a daughter, Devaki by name, who resembles a goddess. Go and marry her. I shall be your best man. Do not oppose this friendly request of mine." A depository of courtesy, the tenth Daśarha, so instructed, went with Kansa and he saw Narada on the road. Muni Nārada, honored properly by Sauri and Kansa, delighted, asked, 'Where are you going and what for?" Śauri said, "I have started with my friend Kansa to marry the princess Devaki, Devaka's daughter." Narada said: "Such a thing was well undertaken by Kansa. For the Creator is unskilled in the union of suitable persons, even though he created them. Just as you, Vasudeva, have no equal in beauty among men, so Devaka's daughter, Devaki, has none among women. You have married many maidens, even Khecaris. When you have seen Devaki, you will surely consider them without merit. Do not allow any obstacle from any source to this suitable union. I shall go and describe your merits to Devaki, Vasudeva."
156
66
With these words, the muni flew up and went to Devaki's house. Worshipped by her, he announced, Let Vasudeva be your husband." Asked, "Who is Vasudeva?" the muni said: "The young tenth Dašarha, dear to Vidyadhara-women. What else? He, whom in beauty the gods, et cetera do not equal, is Vasudeva." Saying this, Rși Narada left. Anakadundubhi entered Devaki's heart by that speech.
In due course the two came to Mṛttikävati city. Honored by Devaka, discerning, Sauri and Kansa took seats on a priceless seat and were asked the reason for their coming. Kansa said: "I came here to have you give Devaki, who is suitable, to Vasudeva. That is the reason for coming. Devaka said: "That is not the custom for the bridegroom himself to come on account of a maiden. I shall not give Devaki to him."
""
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
