Part 38: Rescue of Nandiṣeṇā

“She is the wife of King Jitaśatru and daughter of Jarāsandha, named Nandiṣeṇā. She was bewitched by a mendicant and he was killed by the king. Even now she, strongly bewitched, wears his bones.” Then by the power of a charm Śauri made her free from the witchcraft. Jitaśatru gave him his own daughter Ketumatī.

Dimbha, Jarāsandha’s door-keeper, went to the king and said, “This benefactor, who saved Nandiṣeṇā’s life, should be summoned.” The king said, “That is fitting.” Śauri, put in a chariot by the door-keeper, went with him himself to the city of the lord of Magadha. There he was made a prisoner by guards and when he asked the reason for his arrest, they said:

“An astrologer predicted to Jarāsandha: ‘Whoever shall cure your daughter, Nandiṣeṇā, his son will surely be your slayer.’ You are recognized. For that reason you are to be killed.”

With these words they led Yādava like an animal to the place of execution and the Muṣṭikas^[1] and others prepared to execute Daśārha. At that time Gandhārapiṅgala, lord of Gandhasamṛddha, asked a magic art about a husband for Prabhāvatī and she said, “Vasudeva.” He sent a nurse, Bhagīrathī, to lead him there. She snatched Śauri from them (the executioners) and took him to Gandhasamṛddhaka. There Śauri married Prabhāvatī who was given by her father. He remained there happily, enjoying himself with her.

Śauri went away and married other Vidyādhara-women and also Sukośalā. Living in Sukośalā’s house, he experienced pleasures of the senses without any obstacles.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Muṣṭikās are defined by MW as ‘a despised race (=Ḍombās)’; and Ḍomba is defined as ‘a man of low caste (living by singing and music).’ But here a Muṣṭika is obviously of a caste that acts as executioners.