________________
244
CHAPTER EIGHT Enough of them for us. When suitable ones are encountered, then I shall marry them.” By this dignified speech, Nemi. restrained his parents, guileless by nature, from insistence on the marriage-business.
Birth of Rūjimati (48–49) Now Yaśomati's jīva fell from Aparājita and entered the womb of Dhāriņi, Ugrasena's wife. At the right time Dhāriņi bore a daughter, Rājīmati by name; and in time she grew up with unique beauty and grace.
Episode of Sāgaracandra (50–74) And now Dhanasena, living in Dvārakā, gave his daughter, Kamalāmelā, to Nabhaḥsena, son of Ugrasena. As he roamed about, Nārada came to Nabhaḥsena's house and he was not honored by him, his mind fixed on the marriage. With the desire to injure him, he (Nārada) went to Sāgaracandra, son of Nişadha, son of Rāma, very dear to Śāmba and others. He got up to meet him and asked: “ Divine sage, have you seen anything marvelous as you roamed about ? For you are devoted to seeing that.” He said: “The daughter of Dhanasena, named Kamalāmelā, a marvel in the world, has been seen right here. Just now she has been given to Nabhaḥsena:” After saying this, he flew up and went elsewhere. But Sāgara fell in love with her. Sāgara thought of her only; spoke her name only; saw her only everywhere, like one crazed by datura seeing gold.232
Nārada went to Kamalāmelā's house and, asked by her about a marvel, he, crooked-minded, said: “I have seen two marvels. Of these one is Prince Sāgaracandra because of a wealth of beauty; and Nabhaḥsena because of ugliness.” At once deserting Nabhaḥsena, she fell in love with Sāgara.
1 232
· 232 56. Pita must be the datura. See III, p. 168 and n. 228. People poisoned by datura see things in a yellow light. Cf. Prabandhacintāmaņi (Tawney), 54 n. and 194 n. Tawney calls it gold-sickness.'
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
