50-51] PADUMĀWATI. 25 CANTO III THE BIRTH OF PADMĀVATĪ. 50. He who created Campāvati's perfect form, now desireth to make Padmāvati incarnate within her. A tale of fairness is there shortly to be, for who can wipe out what is written in the book of fate? Simhala was called the isle (dipa) of Simhala, because such a light (dīpa) shone there. The lightwas first created in the heavens, and next took form as a jewel, the head of the father. Then entered it the mother's body, and in her womb received honour. As the months of pregnancy were fulfilled, day by day did she become more manifest in her mother's heart. As a candle shaded behind a thin cloth, so in her heart did the hidden glory manifest itself. The people in their joy) adorned their palaces with gold, and plastered them o'er with sandal; as the light-(dīpa)-like jewel of Çiva's world was being born in the isle (dīpa) of Simhala. 51. Ten months were fulfilled, and the hour came,—the maiden Padmā. vati became incarnate. She was as it were drawn from the rays of the sun, for they lost their glory as she increased. Though it was night, it became as clear as day; yea, the whole world), like unto mount Kailāçat was rendered luminous. Such beauty of form was manifested, that the full moon itself grew lean and waned. She waned and waned until she became but the new moon, and, for two days, in shame hid she herself behind the earth. Then, when she again rose, she was but the humbly bent moon of the second day, so God (in his mercy) made her pure and holy to console her. The odour 1 It must be remembered that in the esoteric interpretation of the poem Padmavati represents wisdom. 2 According to Indian tradition the brain is the ultimate seat of procreative power. See Hindi comm. for details. & i. e., was appropriately nourished. 4 Çiva's heaven. Probably, as usual in the poem, Indra's heaven, Amaravati, is meant. 6 There are no markings visible on the moon when it is two days old. It is hence considered pure, and is worshipped when in that condition. For the same reason, the 7
