Vasudevahimdi Madhyama Khanda Part 1

Author(s): Dharmdas Gani, H C Bhayani, R M Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 16

Introduction
age with a letter from Balacandrä and Vegavati. Both of them were pio. ing for Vasudeva's company. Vegavati's progress in mastering the Vidzās ('magic charms ) was slow, because she felt greatly love-loro. So both of them wanted that either they came to V., or the latter went to them. (3-4). At the request of Bandhumati and Priyangusundari, V. commissioned Candrayaśas to bring there his wives (Szar alā), Gandharvadatlā, Nilayasa, Mada navegā, Vegavats and Bälacandrā, who were living in differnt cities, He had learnt from Candrayaśas thai Nilayaśā, who was formerly abducted by one Nilakantha (who had assumed the form of a peacock for that purpose ), had been thereafter rescued from him.
Candrayaśas departed and shortly returned to the Pramadavana in a gorgeous aerial car, bringing with him the six wives of V. V. received them (5-7). Description of each of them one by one, beginning with that of Syamala and ending with that of Bālacandıā (8-10). Eņikāputra, Priyangusundari and Bandhumatí also welcomed them and offered warm hospitality. Candrayaśas gave an account of how he collected the six girls from their different cities of residence. (10-14). V. enquired about each of them as to how they fared during their separation from him. Then Nilayaśā told V. how she was abducted by the Vidyadhara Nilakantha who had assumed the form of a peacock, and who, when pursued by her grandmother (Hranyavati) and father, had run away and sought the protection of two Cāraṇa monks (14-15). Then Mattakokilā, Syāmalā's attendent maid, Barrated how th: latter pursued and attacked Angāraka, when he was kidoapping V., aod how at that time a goddess helped her in V.'s rescue. Syāmala later on came to know that V. had at that time safely reacted Campa, where he was to marry Gandharvadattā.
After a while Balacandrà along with her brother left for her city (15-17). Vasudeva was haviog a very pleasant time in the company of his seven wives, five brothers of Priyangusundari, two brothers of Bandhumati and the king Gangarakṣita (18), Amsumat, Pundra's brother, who, accompanied by the cooks Naada and Upananda, had left Bhadrila pura in search of V., found him here and so he stayed over (18-19). V. was invited to attead the sacred festival and picnic in honour of the Tirthankaja Sambhavasvāmin to be held at the Koşthaka sanctuary, Decription of V. and each of his seven queens dressed gorgeously for the occasion. There was a lot of fun and joking among the ladies. They set out in palanqu. ins, followed by the entourage. They arrived at the temple. Vasudeva paid homage to the Jina and then strolled in the park, appreciating its beauty (19-24).