Read the previous part here… In the middle of all this, was a large temple of Mā Durgā, as tall as Mount Meru, with walls of precious stones and a high pataka (flag) that was studded with jewels. Sattvaśīla prostrated himself before the Devi, sang a स्तोत्रम् (stotram) in her praise, and then sat down …
Read the previous part here… The king then called a meeting at his palace the very next day and described in detail Sattvaśīla’s devotion, and then rewarded him with wealth and land. “These rewards do not come close to what you deserve”, he proclaimed. Sattvaśīla now lived the life of a prosperous man, but stayed …
1st February 2021 I’ve never been a father, so I really didn’t know how to react… The clock ticked, and I stood outside…I cannot say I stood patiently, because I was not patient. I was a bit worried, but more than that, a lifetime of anticipation, non-preparation, and apprehension stood before me. This was it. …
Read the previous part here… Only Sattvaśīla had managed to follow the king – running through the deep woods, disregarding his own life, hungry and thirsty but determined to keep up with the monarch. Caṇḍasiṃha spotted him, and felt relieved. “Do you know the way back?” he asked Sattvaśīla. तदाकर्ण्याञ्जलिं बद्ध्वा स तं कार्पटिको ऽभ्यधात् …
Read the previous part here… Now I have a question for you. Which of the two people, mixed in such a manner, was Madanasundarī’s husband ? Who should she spend her life with ? Tell me, o wise king. Remember, if you know the answer, and don’t tell me the truth, your head will burst …
Read the previous part here… Not knowing what do to, and how to handle such a situation, he blamed himself for spoiling his sister’s life, and in a fit of depression, picked up the same sword and cut off his own head. सो ऽपि यावच् च नायाति तावद् उद्भ्रान्तमानसा ।तद्देवीभवनं सापि ययौ मदनसुन्दरी ॥ १२,१३.३४ …
Read the previous part here… Vimala asked Śuddhapaṭa for his daughter’s hand in marriage for his son, and Śuddhapaṭa readily agreed. They saw a good muhurata the next day, and the marriage was solemnized. Dhavala returned to his father’s house a happy man, his new bride in tow. स कृतप्रश्रयः सर्वैः स्वस्राश्लिष्याभिनन्दितः ।संबन्धिपृष्टकुशलो विश्रान्तश् च …
Read the previous part here… Now I have a question for you. Who deserves to marry Somaprabhā ? Who does she belong to? Tell me, o wise king. Remember, if you know the answer, and don’t tell me the truth, your head will burst into a hundred pieces! इति वेतालतस् तस्माच् छ्रुत्वा मौनं विहाय च …
Read the previous part here… The mother then proceeded to question him on the scriptures, the Vedas, Upanishads, and even matters of the past, and matters of the future, and she received satisfactory responses for all her questions. Impressed by his vast knowledge, she promised her daughter’s hand in marriage to him, and told him …
Read the previous part here… As soon as Harisvāmin was back, he was approached by a Brahmin youth, who had heard of the beauty of his daughter. ” I would like to marry her”, said the Brahmin. विज्ञानिनो ज्ञानिनो वा शूराद् वा नापरं पतिम् ।मत्पुत्रीच्छति तत् तेषां मध्यात् कथय को भवान् ॥ १२,१२.१३ ॥ इत्य् …
