Part 4: Kidnapping of Uṣā

And now there was a son, named Aniruddha, of Pradyumna by his wife Vaidarbhī and he attained youth. At that time there was a Khecara-lord in the city Śubhanivāsa, Bāṇa by name, with cruel power. He had a daughter, Uṣā. From a desire for a suitable husband she, beautiful, propitiated the magic art, Gaurī, with a very strong determination. She (Gaurī), satisfied, said to her, “Aniruddha, the grandson of Śārṅgin Kṛṣṇa, will be your husband, resembling Indra.” The god Śaṅkara, the husband of the magic art Gaurī, propitiated by Bāṇa, gave him invincibility on the battle-field. Gaurī said to him: “The boon which gave invincibility in all cases is not suitable. For, indeed, I have given a boon to Uṣā.” Śaṅkara said to Bāṇa, “You will be invincible except in women’s business,” and Bāṇa was pleased with that.

By what Khecaras and what mortals was Uṣā not asked from Bāṇa because of her beauty? But he, not being pleased, did not give her. Uṣā, being in love, sent a Vidyādharī Citralekhā and had Aniruddha brought to her house as well as her heart. He took her and married her with a gāndharva-marriage. He set out with the announcement, “I, Aniruddha, am going, having abducted Uṣā.”