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42.
AVANTISUNDARI KATHĀ SĀRA
of the princess while his wife remarked that she was right in
her statement in that the picture was defective in so far as it
did not bring out the present state of longing for her beloved.
(Av. Sāra VI. 77-89)
Then Baālacandrikaā took the portrait to the princess, and
she, looking at it, drew from memory the picture of Saāmba,
her lover in former life; and it was the very image of Rāja-
vāhana. When the prince saw the likeness drawn by her, he
had no doubt that Avantisundariī was his beloved Yajňñavatī
in former life, and he became anxious to see her. Next
morning the prince set out with his friend to see the festival.
and beheld citizens gathering in multitudes for the festival on
the bank of river Siprā which formed a moat to the city. He
proceeded along the beautiful East Ujjain and the outside
gardens and reached the lake where the festival was to begin.
He took his seat in a pavilion in a grove adjoining the
lake and witnessed young ladies engaged in sport, and boats
in hundreds plying on the vast expanse of water. Then there
appeared a large boat like a floating palace in crystal in which
the princess was seated. Melodious music mingled with
clinking of anklets came through the air. The boat slowly
touched the shore and the princess in her, dazzling beauty was
seen in the midst of maidens in dance and merriment.
seen in the midst of maidens in dance and merriment.
Baālacandrika bowed to the princess and introduced the prince.
ā bowed to the princess and introduced the prince.
as the son of Queen Vasumatiī and King Rājahamsa and added
that it was he who drew the portrait.
ṁsa and added
that it was he who drew the portrait.
(Av. Sāra VI. 90-124)
When the two lovers were betraying signs of emotion, a
swan was moving by the side of the princess; and at her
bidding Baālacandrikaā went to catch it. But the prince stopped
her.
her. 'Don't disturb the swan; I shall tell you a story.
Saāmba, son of Lord Kṛṣṇa, was once sporting with his bride
Yajñavatiī in a lotus pond. He caught a swan and bound its
feet with lotus fibres. The swan was a sage and cursed them
to take birth on earth. They pacified the sage who took
pity on them and said, 'Though born as mortals, you will
recognise each other and have the same form as now. You will,
however, suffer separation for a small period.'`
however, suffer separation for a small period.' The princess
hearing this, remarked: 'Yajñavati is also born as mortal to
ī is also born as mortal to
share the consequences.' At this moment the queen mother
desired to see the princess and she departed leaving her heart
of the princess while his wife remarked that she was right in
her statement in that the picture was defective in so far as it
did not bring out the present state of longing for her beloved.
(Av. Sāra VI. 77-89)
Then B
she, looking at it, drew from memory the picture of S
her lover in former life; and it was the very image of Rāja-
vāhana. When the prince saw the likeness drawn by her, he
had no doubt that Avantisundar
in former life, and he became anxious to see her. Next
morning the prince set out with his friend to see the festival.
and beheld citizens gathering in multitudes for the festival on
the bank of river Siprā which formed a moat to the city. He
proceeded along the beautiful East Ujjain and the outside
gardens and reached the lake where the festival was to begin.
He took his seat in a pavilion in a grove adjoining the
lake and witnessed young ladies engaged in sport, and boats
in hundreds plying on the vast expanse of water. Then there
appeared a large boat like a floating palace in crystal in which
the princess was seated. Melodious music mingled with
clinking of anklets came through the air. The boat slowly
touched the shore and the princess in her, dazzling beauty was
seen in the midst of maidens in dance and merriment.
seen in the midst of maidens in dance and merriment.
B
as the son of Queen Vasumat
that it was he who drew the portrait.
that it was he who drew the portrait.
(Av. Sāra VI. 90-124)
When the two lovers were betraying signs of emotion, a
swan was moving by the side of the princess; and at her
bidding B
her.
her. 'Don't disturb the swan; I shall tell you a story.
S
Yajñavat
feet with lotus fibres. The swan was a sage and cursed them
to take birth on earth. They pacified the sage who took
pity on them and said, 'Though born as mortals, you will
recognise each other and have the same form as now. You will,
however, suffer separation for a small period.'
however, suffer separation for a small period.'
hearing this, remarked: 'Yajñavat
share the consequences.' At this moment the queen mother
desired to see the princess and she departed leaving her heart