The flooring of these palaces was made of sapphire, pearls, corals, diamonds, emeralds, rubies and crystals. The city was abounding in wealth and was glowing like the celestial city Bhogavati.
The city was shining with its many halls, courts, royal paths, cross roads, playgrounds, shops, markets and rest houses. Flags decorated the roof-tops of the houses and they fluttered due to the wind’s movement.
Outside this delightful city was a lovely garden that was thriving in beautiful trees and creepers. The many breath-taking ponds within it, the chirping of the birds, and the humming of bees enlivened it profusely. The banks of the ponds were filled with deep-rooted huge trees which were filled with plentiful flowers. The waters from the many nearby streams sprinkled the drops upon these beautiful flowers adding to their glow.
The gentle breeze moved the branches of those trees that had many tender shoots. In that garden were many varied forms of animals. They moved gently in hordes. It appeared as if they had taken up the vow of non-violence (ahimsa vrata) like eminent sages. They were not causing any harm. The melodious chirping of the cuckoos appeared as if it was inviting the traveler to come into those gardens.
Exactly at that moment a damsel, whose beauty was intoxicating to the eyes, appeared there. She was accompanied by ten servants, who in turn had 100 servants each. The lady had adorned herself in various ornaments.
A five-hooded serpent was guarding her from all directions. She was young and looked very innocent. It was as if she was searching for a husband. She had an attractive nose, lovely rows of teeth, shining cheeks and cute face. The glittering ear rings added to the loveliness of her beautifully proportioned face. Her eyes were charming.
She was dark complexioned and had draped a yellow sari. Her delicate waist was adorned by a striking waist band. As she walked delicately like a goddess, the melodiously tinkling of her anklets was very soothing to the ears. Her rounded breasts indicated that she had just entered youth. She was trying to hide her breasts with her sari as she walked like an elephant.
With her sharp, well-curved eyebrows she pierced the heart of King Puranjana with arrows known as charming, love-filled gaze. That’s all. He was enraptured by her beauty and charm”.
This entire city, garden and the lovely woman had emerged purely to trap the king!
“The king, who was a hero, addressed the lovely woman who was shyly looking at him with love-filled gaze and said, “O beautiful damsel! Your elongated eyes resemble lotus petals. Who are you? Who is your father? How did you arrive here? O chaste woman, do not fear. What is the purpose of visiting this garden?
O lovely lady, you are being assisted by many servants. Who are these servants? Who are these bodyguards? Who are their associates of yours? Who is the snake that is ahead of you?
You appear like a calm Maharishi who has undertaken strict austerities in the forest in absolute solitude. Are you goddess Hri, who is searching for her husband Lord Dharma? Aha, merely by serving your lotus feet your husband would have fulfilled all his desires. Is it possible that you are Parvati, searching for your husband Shiva? Or are you Saraswati searching for Lord Brahma? Or are you Lakshmi searching for Lord Vishnu? In case you are Goddess Lakshmi, then where is the lotus which you playfully hold in your hands? O beautiful one! Since your feet touch the ground, it is obvious that you are not a goddess. I am the best amongst valorous heroes and am capable of accomplishing supreme tasks. Hence please marry me. Together with Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi illumines the entire Vaikunṭha. Likewise, you too illumine this entire city by marrying me.
O beautiful one, with your love-filled gaze you have captivated my mind. You have seen me shyly with eyes filled with lust and love and with your raised eyebrows. As such Manmatha, the Lord of love, is now tormenting me profusely. Therefore, please be merciful to me.
O lady, you have a pure charming smile, beautifully arched eyebrows, lovely eyes with black eyeballs and a sweet smiling face. Nevertheless, due to your shyness I am unable to see them all. Your curly long hair is covering your face and hiding it from me. Please look up directly into my eyes. I seek to see your face completely”.
Nārada continued his narration, “O Emperor Barhiśat, like a fallen hero King Puranjana pleaded with her. He desired her. She too was captivated by Puranjana’s handsomeness. With a laugh, she addressed him and said,
“O greatest amongst men, I do not know who has given birth to me or to these attendants of mine. I do not know my lineage nor do I know my name. O valourous one! All I know is that I am standing here presently. Beyond that I know nothing. I do not know who has constructed this huge beautiful city for our residence. These men are my friends. These women are my attendants. When I am asleep this snake guards this city carefully. O valourous one! It is my great fortune that you have come here. May you be blessed with auspiciousness! You seek sensory pleasures. My attendants and me will try to fulfill all your desires. Live comfortably and enjoy sensory pleasures without any hindrance for 100 years in this city of 9 gates which I have constructed for you. Apart from you there is none other whom I will satisfy. Others are not as knowledgeable about love as you are”.