1 STORY OF ALANKARAVATI

Once upon a time king Naravahana Datta went out hunting into the forest, followed by his ministers and a great army. With no definite destination in view, he let loose the reins of his horse and entered a thick forest, leaving the army behind. But Gomukha who was ever alert, was at his heels. The throbbing of the right eye-lash of the prince showed that something auspicious was in store for him. Soon a melodious music reached his ears and he rode in the direction of the sound which took him to a temple of Siva. He got down and entered the temple. There a beautiful damsel was singing in praise of Maheshvara. As the full moon produces a tide in the sea, the sight of the moon-faced damsel created an upheaval in his heart. The damsel was equally attracted by his handsome appearance and forgot the trend of her music. Gomukha knew the mind of the prince and questioned one of the attendants to tell him who the maid was.

Before any reply was given, a golden red, and radiant light descended from the sky and an elderly lady came and sat by the side of the damsel. All stood up in reverence. The mother blessed her daughter thus-"May the emperor of the VidyaDharas be your husband, without any obstacles." Naravahana Datta advanced and bowed to the elderly lady. The benign lady blessed him too.

The prince asked her, "Mother, who is this damsel and how is she related to you ?" The elderly lady replied : "On one of the peaks of Himavan, the father of Gauri, stands the city of Sundarapura. A Vidyadhara king Alankarasila rules over it. He is noble and dignified and his queen is Kanchanaprabha. In course of time they are blessed with a son.

Uma told the king in a dream that the by would be of a righteous mind and so he is named Dharmasila. He became well versed in all sciences and all branches of knowledge. When he attained youth, Alankarasila made him crown prince. With a mind ever intent on Dharma, he assists his father and rules over the heart of the citizens as the sun rules over the lotus. Queen Kanchanaprabha later on gave birth to a daughter. At the time of her birth, a divine voice declared, "This girl shall be the queen of emperor Naravahanadatta." The father named her Alankaravati. Like the moon in the bright fortnight. Alankaravati grew of age and became proficient in all arts and sciences.

Each day she visits the temples of Mahesvara and sings devotional songs in praise of Candrasekhara.

Once her brother, the young Dharmasila spoke to his father in privacy-"Father ! I am not attracted by the worldly pleasures, which are by nature short lived. What attraction is here in this life, which is nothing but sadness from start to finish ? Do you not remember the words of Vyasa :- "Things of the world thrive only to decline ; grow high only to fall to the ground ; become attached only to get separated ; take birth only to die ; Fortune favours only to launch one in misery." Oh King ! This is the nature of all the worldly things. What attraction can such objects of nature offer to a man of insight ? Neither the pleasures nor the treasures of this world follow an individual to the other world. Dharma is the only friend and relation that follows him as closely as his shadow. So I wish to go to the forest and do penance to attain Bliss Absolute."

Alankarasila became thoughtful and with eyes full of tears replied,? Son, you are yet young. This is not the time for you to bestow a thought on that subject. It is laid down that one should resort to penance only after leading the life of a householder, enjoying all the blissful things attendant on youth. A ksatriya shall rule over his kingdom following Dharma and after middle age renounce and go to the forest." Dharmasila answered, "Age is not the criterion of renunciation. By the grace of Isvara even a boy may attain peace and betake to penance. Though advanced in age, a person of an unruly mind can never think of penance. I have no desire to rule or take to married life. Having obtained human birth, I think I should devote my time to the worship of Siva, in order to fulfil the purpose of life."

Finding that he could not convince his son, king Alankarasila came down to earth, gave plenty in charity to poor brahmins and went back to his capital. He decided to follow his son to the penance grove. At the time of departure, he said to his queen Kancanaprabha, "You live in the city and take care of your daughter. This very day, a year hence, is an auspicious one. I shall give the hand of my daughter to Naravahanadatta then. Our son-in-law becomes the emperor and rules over our city." By an oath he detained his wife and went to tapovana.

As per her husband's behest, queen Kancanaprabha remained in the city and took care of her daughter. Alankaravati spends much of her time, every day, in visiting Siva's temples, followed by her mother. Once Kancanaprabha directed by her super knowledge Prajnapti Vidya told her daughter to worship Mahesvara of Svayambhu Ksetra in Kasmira. There she would meet prince

Naravahanadatta. Thenceforth she pays regular homage to Siva, in the holy places of Nandi, Mahadevagiri, Mount Amara, Mount Suresvara, in Vijaya and Kapalesvara, followed by her mother. Young and handsome prince ! This damsel is Alankaravati and I am Kancanaprabha, her mother. To day she came her without informing me. By my knowledge I came to know of this and by the same knowledge I knew you are here, the prince spoken of by the divine voice.

For the present you go back to Kausambi. In a very short time my husband will come from tapovana with his son and celebrate your marriage on that auspicious day, prefixed by the divine voice." When Kancanaprabha was about to leave the place with her daughter both the prince and the princess showed signs of their unwillingness to part. Their eyes were full of tears.

The queen gently said, "The valiant endure separation for long. Strange, you cannot endure for a short time. To illustrate my point I narrate briefly the story of Rama and Sita, who faced many troubles. You are young and brave. Listen to the story.