Vasudevahimdi Madhyama Khanda Part 1

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

Page 31

Vasudevahindi : Majjhima-khamda
of Love. He performed the worship and going forther met one Ruciradova, who was younger brother of Pota, the Licchavi king ruling over the city of Vaisāli nearby. Ruciradeva told V. that after winning the wager from his brother in a horse-race, he bad laid another bet with him on a race between his own cow-elephant with the latter's Laghuśoṇa horses. But this time he had lost all hopes of winning the wager and hence he was planning to leave the city for good. V. assured Ruciradeva that he would help him win. On the appointed day, V. mounted tbe cow-elephant and won the race for Ruciradeva. The latter married her sister lodrasenā to V., this having been also a prediction made previously by his father, who, as a monk, had acquired clairvoyance.
Once a messanger arrived from Srāvasti bringiog letters from Priyangu. sundari, from Nilayaśā (who had been brought to Stārasti by Hiranyavati) and from other relatives, enquiring about Vi's whereabouts aod well-being - They had been informed by Hiranyavatı how Prabhāvau had taken away V. with her for meeting one of his previously married wives. She also told them that he was at that time in Vaišali. V. sent appropriate return messages to his wives and relatives and promised to go shortly to Slāvasti.
X Winning of Lakşmaņā
(pp. 179-182)
Ruciradeva ca pe to know about his brother's plans to imprison bim and V. under the excuse that Indrasenā was given away by him in marriage to some person of upkowa familly-origia. So along with V. and his own followers he secretly left Vaiśāli and sought refuge with his maternal uncle ruling at Kosalāpuri.
King Kogala's secret service reported about Pota's immament attack on Kosalapuri. V. wrote to Eņikāputra at Srāvasti to send him military assistance. The latter's five sons arrived with a big army. In the meanwhile the Licchavi army arrived there. V. led the attack against the Licchavis. The hostile forces were routed. Then Pota sought out v. and began to fixht with him. V. pierced his forhead with an arrow Rucir adeva caught Pota ali. ve. V. returned in a triumplant processioa. When Pota's wound healed he begged V.'s pardon and offered him his sister Laksmana in marcia se With Indrasena's consent V. accepted the offer. Lakşmāna was called from Vaišali. Tho wedding ceremony was performed. Eojoying in the company of Laksmana and Indrasepā, V. passed the time happily. (p. 182).