Part 3: Kunthu’s parents (king Śūra and queen Śrī)

Now in Bhāratakṣetra in this same continent Jambūdvīpa there is a great city Hāstinapura. In its shrines dharma, constantly rejoicing, dances ardently, as it were, in the guise of white banners. In its houses with the ground of the court-yards paved with jewels the very word ‘mud’ (kardama) occurred only in yakṣakardama.^[1] Rutting elephants gave blows with their tusks at their own reflections in its wall made of jewels with the idea that they were other elephants. In the royal palaces, in the houses of the people, in the gateways, and other places—all that was filled with images of the Arhats like the sky with planets.

Śūra, like a new sun in brilliance, was king in this city, like Dhaneśvara in Alakā. Dharma alone dwelt constantly in his heart like a second soul; but wealth and love remained outside like a body. Of him who had subdued the quarters by his splendor the weapons became only ornaments of the arm, like armlets and bracelets. He did not become angry at any one and he protécted the earth. The moon lights up everything without harshness.

His wife was Śrī, like Śrīdevī of Hari, the embodiment of beauty, grace, and virtue, endowed with spotless conduct. She, fair-faced, dripping nectar in her speech, looked like a stream of nectar, or like a goddess of the moon. She, whose body was faultless, moved and spoke very slowly, the wife of him, like a haṃsī of a rājahaṃsa. King Śūra, absorbed in unhindered happiness, enjoyed pleasures with the queen, like a god in a heavenly palace.

 

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

A fragrant ointment.