Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 5

Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra

Page 78

MARRIAGES OF VASUDEVA WITH MAIDENS 47 seeking water in it, went to a pool Jalāvarta. An elephant there, like a living Mt. Vindhya, ran at him and the prince, like a lion, tamed it and mounted it. Two Khecaras, Arcimālin and Pavanañjaya, saw him mounted on the elephant, took him to the garden Kuñjarāvarta and released him.
There the Vidyādhara-lord Aśanivega, gave him his daughter, Syāmā, and he sported with her. Pleased with her playing of the lute, Vārşņeya gave her a boon. She asked, “May you never be separated from me.” He asked the reason for the boon and she related:
“ Arcimālin was king in the city Kinnaragita on Vaitādhya. He had two sons, Jvalanavega and Aśanivega. Arcimālin installed Jvalana on the throne and took the vow. Angaraka,, Jvalana's son, was borne by Vimalā and I am Aśanivega's daughter by Suprabhā. Jvalana installed Aśanivega on the throne and went to heaven. Angaraka banished him (Ašanivega) by the power of magic arts and seized the kingdom.
My father went to Aștāpada and there he asked a flyingascetic, Angiras by name, Will the kingdom be mine or not?' The muni said, “The kingdom will be yours by the power of your daughter Syāmā's husband. He can be recognized by his taming of the elephant of Jalāvartā.' From confidence in the muni's speech my father founded a city here and sent two Khecaras to be always at Jalāvarta. You were brought here by them when they had seen you tame and mount the elephant and you were married to me by my father, Ašanivega, lord.
In the past this agreement was made between noble Indra Dharaṇa, Indra of the Nāgas, and the Vidyadharas:
"Whoever kills a man near an Arhat's shrine, or one with a woman, or an attendant on a sādhu, even if he has good magic arts, shall be deprived of his magic arts.'
For this reason, master, no-separation was chosen by me as a boon. May the wicked Angāraka not kill you alone. “The tenth son of Andhakavrşņi said, “ Very well,” and passed the time with her in amusements from practicing the arts.