Canto XXXVI - The Story of Madālasā (concluded)

Ṛtadhvaja Kuvalayāśva on reaching old age resigns his kingdom to his son Alarka, and Madālasā gives him a token-ring—Both depart to the forest to practise austerities.

Jaḍa spoke:

Being thus instructed by bis mother, Ṛtadhvaja’s son attained his youth and duly married a wife, and begat sons, and as a lord offered sacrifices, and always closely observed bis father’s commands. Then after a long time Ṛtadhvaja, on reaching extreme old age, anointed his son in the sovereignty, and with righteous soul desirous to depart to the forest to practise austerities in company with his wife descended from his throne, a mighty protector, an illustrious king.

And Madālasā delivered this her last discourse to her son, in order that her son might abandon attachment to sensual pleasures.

Madālasā spoke:

“When intolerable pain, arising from separation from thy dear kinsmen, or caused by the opposition of thy enemies, or springing from the destruction of thy wealth or from thy own self, may befall thee as thou rulest thy kingdom, observing the laws of a householder—for the householder who depends on selfishness makes unhappiness his abode—then, my son, draw forth and read from this ring that I have given thee the writing that is inlaid in delicate letters on the plate.”

Jaḍa spoke:

So saying, she gave him a golden ring, and the blessings appropriate for a man who lives the family life. Then Kuvalayāśva and his queen Madālasā, bestowing on their son the kingdom, departed to the forest to practise austerities.