अवन्तिसुन्दरीकथासारः /8

vi AVANTISUNDARĪ KATHĀ SĀRA
 

 
Dharmaśāstra and Grṛhyasūtra in the portrayal of the

Brahman villages on the banks of the Käāveri delta,[^1 and in the
] and in the
science of yogic practices in the depiction of the penance of

Ripuñjaya.[^2] The thoughts and expressions of the Arthaśāstra

of Kautṭalya run throughout the texture of his work. In his

knowledge of astrology, medicine, herbs, plants, Āgamas,

Purāṇas and architecture, Dandṇḍin leaves many great writers
 
vi
 

far behind.
 

 
The scheme of Dandṇḍin's story is this: Ripuñjaya the last

of the Brṛhadratha 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
ṣṇu
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 AĀmardaka (God Siva of Ujjain). His penance

extends over many long centuries, when the dynasties from

Putikas or Pradyotas down to Potas (Hauņṇas 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.
ṣṇu.
Raājahaṁsa marries Vasumatī, the princess of the Pundra
ṇḍra
country and defeats Mānasāra the king of Mäālava, in battle.

Here the story of the Avantisundarī begins.
 

 
Maānasāra comes of the best Kṣatriya race to whom honor

through counts more than life. He propitiates AĀmardaka 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. Raājaham ṁsa 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 Hamṁsa-

vaāhana, whom a celestial angel in the form of a swan snatches
 

away.
 

 
Raājahamṁsa 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.