Vasudevahimdi Madhyama Khanda Part 1

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

Page 17

Vasudevahindi : Majjhima-kharda
At that juncture Balacandra, accompanied by her brother Candrayaśas, arrived there via aerial region. She was welcomed by all. V. and his party rested under a sandalwood tree. The ladies started playing in the park. Suddeoly Madanavegā approached V. and drew his attention to a very attractive soung Kāpalika. ( His form and appearance are described elaborately ) ( 25-26). Observing the gait of that young Kāpātika, V. was convinced that he was a girl disguised as a boy. Vegavati and Madanavega confirmed his guess and the latter revealed that the disguised girl was Pra. bhāvati, daughter of Pingalagāndbāra and Amitaprabhā, the king and queen of Puşkalāvati in the Gāndbāra country situated on the southern slope of the Vedikardha mountain. (27)
This Prabhāvati was Vegavati's friend. Being requested by the latter, V. met Prabhāvati and immediately she acquired Mabārobiņi Vid ā, which a as known to be speedily propitiated at the sight of a great man like V. Prabhāvatt bowed down to him and left for Vedikārdha to worship the Vidyā under her teacher's guidance (28). The ladies talked about the prospect of Prabhāvati becoming their cowife. Bālacandıā created through her magic powers, a gorgeous palace in the midst of a beautiful lake in the vicinity with all the requisite provisions and amenities. Ý. along with his wives aod friends stayed there and enjoyed water-sports and other pleasures of life. ( 29-30 ).
In the meanwhile, in the temple premises there, the royal sage Namidāsa attained Absolute Knowledge. V. with his family and friends joined the gods and Vidyadharas is paying homage to the sag: Among the crowd he sax eight extremely beautiful Vidyâd bara girls ( Description of their beauty ) ( 30-32). Vi's Vidyadhari wives recognized and greeted them. Later on they gave to V. the following account of those girls: King Hemā. rigada and queen Suprabhā, ruling over the city of Kanakamüla on the southern range of Vedikārdha, had three soos : Hemayasas, Namidāsa and Bharadvāja. Hemāngada along with Namidā: a took the Holy Order, dividing the kingdom between Hemayaśas and Bbaradvāja. Hemayaśas was killed by Vayuprabha in a battle, and the latter was killed by Bharadvāja in retaliation. Filled with the spirit of renunciation at his biother's death, Bharadvā ja handed over his kingdom to Hemaya sas's son Hemadımştra and retired as an ascetic to the cave Kāñcanaguha at the foot of Vedikār. dha. His seven daughters along with Hema yasas's daughter Hemayaśā came to stay with him, with a view to devote themselves to the acquistion of Vidyās. By now they had acquired these and Hemayaśā had become quite ao adept, as she had acquired Mabāgauri and Mahä-prajñapli These girls, coming to know about Namidāsa attaining Kevala, had come