Part 5: Story of Śāntimatī

One day he was presiding over the council-hall, surrounded by kings, vassals, ministers, and generals like Hari by Sāmānikas. Just then a young Vidyādhara fell from the sky to the ground, his whole body trembling like a tree struck by an elephant, and went for protection to King Vajrāyudha affording protection, like Maināka to the ocean. Behind him came a Vidyādhara-woman carrying sword and shield, having favorable lines (on hands and feet), with a beautiful body, like a vidyādevī embodied. She said to the cakrin, “Your Majesty, send away this rogue, so I can show him soon the fruit of wickedness.” Behind her came in anger a Vidyādhara, carrying a thick club in his hand, frowning terribly, like a messenger of Yama. He said to Vajrāyudha:

“Hear his wicked behavior, on account of which I have come with the intention of killing him. There is a mountain Vaitāḍhya in the province Sukaccha, the ornament of Videhakṣetra in this same Jambūdvīpa. On top of the mountain is situated a city as crest-jewel of the row of cities, Śulkapura, like a tax on the wealth of the heavens. There lived a Vidyādhara-king Śukladanta, and his wife, Yaśodharā, maintaining the glory of two families. I am their son, Pavanavega, and I attained youth and acquired the collection of arts gradually.

On the same Vaitāḍhya lived King Dīptacūla in the city Kinnaragīta, the ornament of the north row. His wife Candrakīrti bore a daughter, Sukāntā, with all the auspicious marks, whom I married. We had a daughter, Śāntimatī, shining with beauty and good conduct, who is before you. She was subduing the great magic art, the blessed Prajñaptikā, properly on Mt. Maṇisāgara. Busy in subduing the magic art, she was carried up in the air by that Vidyādhara and just at that time the magic art became submissive to her. Put to flight by her at once and not finding a refuge any place, the wretch, the basest of Khecaras, has reached your feet. After taking an offering for a pūjā to the vidyā Prajñapti, I came and did not see my daughter on the mountain. Then I learned (what had happened) from Ābhoginī^[1] and came here, master. Surrender this man, a mine of vices, O punisher of the wicked. I will split him with this club like a cocoanut and make him reach the abode of Yama.”