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PREVIOUS BIRTHS OF PÁRŚVANATHA 373 muni replied, “The son of Cakrabhịt Vajrabāhu, come hither, carried away by his horse, will marry the girl.”
The king reflected: “ This sudden running away of the horse with me is surely a design of the Creator for union with her.” He said: “Lady, tell me where the abbot is now. At the sight of him now may I have a shoot of joy." The friend replied: “He has gone now to follow the muni who has started to wander elsewhere. After he has paid homage to him, he will return." Then an old nun said: “ Oh, Nandā, 332 bring Padmā. It is time for the abbot's return.” The king, by whom the arrival of soldiers was known from the noise of the horses' hooves, said, “You go. I shall keep the army from the hermitage.” Then Padmā was led away from the place by Nandā with difficulty, as she was looking at King Suvarnabāhu, her head turned. The abbot and Ratnāvalī came at that time and the friend told the story of Suvarṇabāhu excitedly.
Gālava said: “The muni's knowledge is exceedingly trust-worthy. The noble Jain sages do not speak anything false. He, the chief of the caste and order, must be honored with hospitality. And he is Padmā's future husband. We will go with Padmā to him.” Then the abbot, accompanied by Ratnāvali, Padmā, and Nandā, went to the king's presence and was honored by the king who had risen.
The king said to Gālava: “ Eager to see you today, I have wished to come. But why have you yourself come?”
Gālava said: “Any one else who has come to the hermitage must be honored with hospitality, but specially you, our protector. An omniscient predicted that Padmā here, my sister's daughter, would be your wife. You have come because of her merit. So, marry her now.”
So advised by the muni, Svarṇabāhu married Padmā, like another Padmā (Lakşmi), with Gāndharva rites. Then Ratnāvali said to the king, who held a festival, “ Always be
332 249. Who must have been in another part of the hermitage.
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