________________
MARRIAGES OF SAMBA AND PRADYUMNA
215
66
Kinnaras and, singing, won the hearts of all the citizens like deer,206 King Rukmin learned about them and summoned the sweet-voiced fictitious caṇḍālas. Holding his daughter on his lap, he had them sing. Delighted by their song, King Rukmin and his retinue gave them money and asked, "Whence have you come here?" They said: From heaven we came to Dvārakā, the city which was made by the gods for the god Sārigin." Vaidarbhi, delighted, asked them, "Do you know the son, Pradyumna, of Krsna and Rukmini there?" Samba said: Who does not know Pradyumna, Manmatha in form, the tilaka 207 of the ornaments of the earth, very strong?"
66
On hearing that, Vaidarbhi, eager, became penetrated by love. Just then a rutting elephant pulled up its post and ran away. Running over the whole city, terrorizing the people unexpectedly, he could not be subdued by any elephant-keeper. "I will give whatever he desires to any one who subdues this elephant," the king had proclaimed by the sound of a drum. The drum was not stopped by any one; but was stopped by them.208 The great elephant was transfixed by Pradyumna and Samba by singing. The two mounted the elephant, led him to the elephant-post, and tied him. They, surprising the citizens, were summoned joyfully by the king. Rukmin said to them, Ask what you wish," and they said, Give us Vaidarbhi here. We have no cook." Rukmin, angry at hearing that, banished them from the city.
66
66
Pradyumna said to Samba: Rukmini remains unhappy. Hence delay in Vaidarbhi's marriage is not fitting." As he was saying this, it became spotless night. Then, all the people being asleep, by means of his magic art Pradyumna went to Rukmin's daughter who was on the seventh floor of the palace. He delivered to her a fictitious affectionate letter from Rukmiņi and, when she had read it, she said, Tell me, what shall I
66
Jain Education International
66
206 46. Deer are considered especially susceptible to music.
207 51. See I, n. 290, for the list of ornaments, including the tilaka. 208 55. For proclamation by drum, cf. Pārśva., p. 185. Usually, the drum was touched,' but here dhr is used.
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
