Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
by Helen M. Johnson | 1931 | 742,503 words
This page describes Marriage with Kaikeyi which is the eighth part of chapter IV of the English translation of the Jain Ramayana, contained within the “Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra�: a massive Jain narrative relgious text composed by Hemacandra in the 12th century. This Jain Ramayana contains the biographies of Rama, Lakshmana, Ravana, Naminatha, Harishena-cakravartin and Jaya-cakravartin: all included in the list of 63 illustrious beings or worthy persons.
Part 8: Marriage with ī
Maithila and ṣv첹 wandering together, united, in the same condition, friends, went to the north country. They heard of a ⲹṃv of ī, the daughter of King Śܲپ in the city ܳٳܰ첹ṅg, borne by ṛtīśī, sister of ٰṇa, a depository of the seventy-two arts, and they went to the pavilion. They sat down on the platform in the midst of the kings headed by Ჹṇa, like ṃs on a lotus. ī, a jewel among maidens, decorated with jeweled ornaments, came to the ⲹṃv-pavilion like ṣmī in person. Leaning on the arm of a woman door-keeper, looking at the kings in turn, like a digit of the moon looking at the constellations, she passed by many. She came in turn to ٲśٳ, like the Ҳṅg to the ocean, and stood on the same spot like a ship whose anchor has been dropped in water. At once, her body horripilated, joyfully ī threw her groom’s garland, like the tendril of her arm, on him. The kings, Ჹṇa, et cetera, thinking themselves humiliated, proud, blazed with anger, like a blazing fire.
“This wretch, solitary, ragged, was chosen by her. How will he protect her, miserable girl, if she is carried off by us?�
Talking at length in this way angrily, they went to their camps and all put on their armor with their whole heart. King Śܲپ armed himself eagerly with his fourfold army on ٲśٳ’s side. “Wife, you act as charioteer that I may crush the enemy,� 岵 (ٲśٳ), alone at that time, said to ī. ī took the reins and got into the chariot. For she, wise, was learned in the seventy-two arts. Carrying his bow and quiver, armored, King ٲśٳ got into the chariot, esteeming his enemies like grass, though alone. ī alone joined rapidly his chariot with the chariot of ᲹԲ, et cetera, each one separately just as if simultaneously. Shooting rapidly, ٲśٳ destroyed their chariots one by one, his strength unbroken like another Āṇḍ. Thus he put to flight all the kings and married ī like a living earth.
King ٲśٳ, charioteer, said to his bride, “Ask for a boon, queen. I am delighted by your charioteering.� “I shall ask at the right time, master. Let my boon be kept on deposit,� ī said and the king agreed. The king went to Ჹṛh with ī like Śrī, with the enemies� soldiers taken by force, accompanied by innumerable attendants. King Janaka went to his own city. For when the wise know it is the right time, they do not delay. King ٲśٳ conquered the Lord of Magadha and remained there, but did not go to ǻ because of fear. The king had his own harem, 貹ᾱ and others, brought there. The kingdom of the powerful is everywhere. Sporting with the queens, the king remained there in the city for a long time. For the earth itself is gained especially for the delight of kings.