Part 11: Previous births of Sītā and Bhāmaṇḍala

Now in Jambūdvīpa in this same Bhāratakṣetra in the village Dāru there was a Brāhman, Vasubhūti. He had a son, Atibhūti, by his wife, Anukośā; and his son had a wife, Sarasā. One day she was kidnaped quickly by a trick by a Brāhman, Kayāna, who had become infatuated with her. What will not someone afflicted by love do! Atibhūti wandered over the earth, just like a ghoul, to search for her; and Anukośā and Vasubhūti went to look for their son and daughter-in-law. One day as they wandered about without seeing the son and daughter-in-law, they saw a sādhu and paid homage to him with devotion. After listening to dharma, they took the vow at his side and Anukośā went to the nun Kamalaśrī at her guru’s instructions. They died and became gods in Saudharma. For if the vow is taken for one day only, one goes to heaven, nowhere else.

Then Vasubhūti fell and became King Candragati, lord of Rathanūpura on Mt. Vaitāḍhya. Then Anukośā fell and became the Vidyādhara-lord’s wife, Puṣpavatī, a woman of noble conduct. At that time Sarasā also became a mendicant after she had seen a certain nun, died, and became a goddess in Īśāna. Atibhūti, grieved at the separation from Sarasā, died, wandered through births for a long time, and one time was born a young haṃsa. One day, as he was being devoured by a hawk, he fell near a sādhu, and the sādhu said the namaskāra to him as he was dying. From the very great power of the namaskāra, after death he became a god among the Kinnaras with a life-term of ten thousand years. He fell and became the son, Kuṇḍalamaṇḍita, of King Prakāśasiṃha by his wife Pravarāvalī in the city Vidagdha.

Devoted to pleasures, Kayāna wandered through the forest of existence for a long time and became the son, Piṅgala, of King Cakradhvaja’s chaplain, Dhūmakeśa by name, by his wife Svāhā, in the city Cakrapura. Piṅgala studied under one teacher with Atisundari, King Cakradhvaja’s daughter. As time passed, they became attached to each other; and Piṅgala seized her by a trick and went to the city Vidagdha. Packing in any skilled knowledge, he earned his living there by selling straw, wood, et cetera. For that is suitable for a worthless person.

Kuṇḍalamaṇḍita saw Atisundarī there and a mutual affection arose at that time. Prince Kuṇḍalamaṇḍita kidnaped her and from fear of his father made a village in an inaccessible region and remained there. Like a crazy man from separation from Atisundarī, wandering over the earth, one day Piṅgala saw Ācārya Āryagupta. After listening to dharma from him, Piṅgala took the vow, but did not give up his affection for Atisundarī at all. Remaining in his village, Kuṇḍalamaṇḍita always looted Daśaratha’s territory by tricks, like a dog. Then at Daśaratha’s orders the vassal Bālacandra made a night attack, made him prisoner, and took him before him (Daśaratha). In time Daśaratha freed Kuṇḍalamaṇḍita. For the anger of the great is appeased when the enemy is miserable, crushed. Roaming over the earth toward his father’s realm, Kuṇḍalamaṇḍita heard dharma from Muni Municandra and became a layman. Having died just as he was seeking (his) realm, he became the son of Videhā, the wife of Janaka in the great city Mithilā.

Sarasā became a chaplain’s daughter after wandering through births, named Vegavatī, became a mendicant, died, and went to Brahmaloka.

When she fell, she became the daughter of Videhā, a twin to the soul of Kuṇḍalamaṇḍita. At the proper time Videhā bore a son and daughter at the same time.