Vasudevahimdi Madhyama Khanda Part 1

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

Page 38

Introduction
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Calling him her master and lord, she got up to fall at her feet, when V, tried to stop her saying that he was just like her servant and she was worthy of his worship. Even then she fell at his feet calling him her chosen husband. V. told her that God Kubera had chosen her as his bride and he (i.e. V)had come as his messenger (pp. 227-228). Kubera had offered to marry her and make her the mistress of men and gods. She need not bother herself any more about the Svayamvara. Kanakavat replied that she whorshipped and honoured Kubera and was always ready to serve him as an humble servant, but marriage was appropriate between equals only, and she with her body full of human imperfections was quite unfit for a great god of Kubera's status. Inspite of V.'s strong, sincere and tempting pleading, Kacakava remained firm and sent her apologies to Kubera (pp. 229-230).
V. returned to Kubera. He started to submit the report, but Kubera told him he already knew what had transpired and praised the devoted and selfless spirit with which V. carried out the mission. He presented V. with a divine garment and divine ornaments for all parts of the body. Thereafter invited by Haricandra, Kubera went to the Svayamvara pavilion and occupied the loftiest seat., V. and his companions sat on a bench nearby. Kubera threw his finger ring towards V. who caught it with a bow and wore it on the right little finger. As a result his appearance changed so as to resemble Kubera perfectly. Kanakavti appeared on the pandal. Her nurse introduced her to the princes one by one, beginning with Kubera. Thrice in this manner she made the round of all the suitors, but she did not choose anybody. When the nurse pressed her to take the dicision, she, with her face bent down, started weeping One of the Apsarases appealed to Kubera not to harass Kanakavaty any further. So Kubera asked V. to remove from his finger the divine ring he had given him. V. obeyed. His nutural appearance was restored. Kanakavait could now identify V. and she promptly garlanded him. The marriage-ceremony was performed with the participation of Kubera and his retinue. When it was over Kubera gave to V. the following explanation as to why he had come to attend the Svayamvara(pp. 231-233).
Formerly King Nisadha ruled over Kosala. By his queen Candrasenä, he had two sons Nala and Kübara. Nala was extremely beautiful. Damadant, the daughter of Bbtmaratha and Puspadant ruling at Kundinapurt in the Vidarbha country, married Nala at a Svayamvara. In beauty she was comparable to Kanakavat here. Nisadha crowned Nala as King, made Kübara heir-apparent and renouncing the world, became a monk, Kübara jealous of Nala and knowing his fondness for gambling, learned from