2023-02-26 04:07:19 by ambuda-bot
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AVANTISUNDARĪ KATHĀ SĀRA
Dharmaśāstra and Grhyasūtra in the portrayal of the
Brahman villages on the banks of the Käveri delta,1 and in the
science of yogic practices in the depiction of the penance of
Ripuñjaya. The thoughts and expressions of the Arthaśāstra
of Kautalya run throughout the texture of his work. In his
knowledge of astrology, medicine, herbs, plants, Āgamas,
Purāṇas and architecture, Dandin leaves many great writers
vi
far behind.
The scheme of Dandin's story is this: Ripuñjaya the last
of the Brhadratha dynasty and ruler of Magadha is childless.
He abandons his kingdom, repairs to a hermitage on the bank
of the river Narmadā and practises austerities. God Vișņu
being pleased, grants him a boon that a son will be born
to him, who will defeat the ruler of Ujjain and brave the
stroke of Amardaka (God Siva of Ujjain). His penance
extends over many long centuries, when the dynasties from
Putikas or Pradyotas down to Potas (Hauņas or Maunas accor-
ding to Purāṇas) rule over the country and disappear. He
returns to Magadha where his son Rājahaṁsa is born. He
entrusts his kingdom to his son, retires to his hermitage where
he leaves off his mortal body for a seat by the side of God Vișnu.
Rajahaṁsa marries Vasumatī, the princess of the Pundra
country and defeats Mānasāra the king of Mälava, in battle.
Here the story of the Avantisundarī begins.
Manasāra comes of the best Kṣatriya race to whom honor
through counts more than life. He propitiates Amardaka with the
rite of selling human flesh and obtains a sword ensuring victory
over his enemy. He then challenges the Magadha king for
another trial of strength. Rajaham sa seeing that Mānasāra has
grown stronger by external aid, sends away his pregnant queen
with trusted ministers to a safe retreat in the Vindhya
forest and encounters the enemy. A bloody battle takes place
in which the Magadha ruler is defeated and driven to the
retreat where his queen and ministers are taking shelter.
Meanwhile, his queen gives birth to a son named Hamsa-
vahana, whom a celestial angel in the form of a swan snatches
away.
Rajahamsa pays a visit to the sage Vāmadeva; and under
his guidance, lives an austere life in the hermitage of his
father. His queen resorts to the temple of God Guha close by
1. Av., pp. 195-6.
2. Ibid. p. 152.
Dharmaśāstra and Grhyasūtra in the portrayal of the
Brahman villages on the banks of the Käveri delta,1 and in the
science of yogic practices in the depiction of the penance of
Ripuñjaya. The thoughts and expressions of the Arthaśāstra
of Kautalya run throughout the texture of his work. In his
knowledge of astrology, medicine, herbs, plants, Āgamas,
Purāṇas and architecture, Dandin leaves many great writers
vi
far behind.
The scheme of Dandin's story is this: Ripuñjaya the last
of the Brhadratha dynasty and ruler of Magadha is childless.
He abandons his kingdom, repairs to a hermitage on the bank
of the river Narmadā and practises austerities. God Vișņu
being pleased, grants him a boon that a son will be born
to him, who will defeat the ruler of Ujjain and brave the
stroke of Amardaka (God Siva of Ujjain). His penance
extends over many long centuries, when the dynasties from
Putikas or Pradyotas down to Potas (Hauņas or Maunas accor-
ding to Purāṇas) rule over the country and disappear. He
returns to Magadha where his son Rājahaṁsa is born. He
entrusts his kingdom to his son, retires to his hermitage where
he leaves off his mortal body for a seat by the side of God Vișnu.
Rajahaṁsa marries Vasumatī, the princess of the Pundra
country and defeats Mānasāra the king of Mälava, in battle.
Here the story of the Avantisundarī begins.
Manasāra comes of the best Kṣatriya race to whom honor
through counts more than life. He propitiates Amardaka with the
rite of selling human flesh and obtains a sword ensuring victory
over his enemy. He then challenges the Magadha king for
another trial of strength. Rajaham sa seeing that Mānasāra has
grown stronger by external aid, sends away his pregnant queen
with trusted ministers to a safe retreat in the Vindhya
forest and encounters the enemy. A bloody battle takes place
in which the Magadha ruler is defeated and driven to the
retreat where his queen and ministers are taking shelter.
Meanwhile, his queen gives birth to a son named Hamsa-
vahana, whom a celestial angel in the form of a swan snatches
away.
Rajahamsa pays a visit to the sage Vāmadeva; and under
his guidance, lives an austere life in the hermitage of his
father. His queen resorts to the temple of God Guha close by
1. Av., pp. 195-6.
2. Ibid. p. 152.