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Prince Chitrasen was captivated by the exquisite beauty of a statue of a woman, inspiring him to embark on a quest to find this enigmatic figure at any cost. Seeking guidance, his devoted friend Ratnasar approached the wise Kevali Muni, imploring him to reveal the existence of a real-life princess resembling the statue. The sage disclosed that the statue was a likeness of Princess Padmavati, the daughter of Queen Padmashri and King Padmarath of Padmapur. Despite her allure, Padmavati's disdain for men had kept her unwed. Though initially disheartened, Chitrasen found solace in the monk's consolation and learned of a poignant event from Padmavati's past that had shaped her animosity towards men.
In a previous life, a pair of contented swans, accompanied by their offspring, enjoyed a harmonious existence. Tragedy struck when a forest fire engulfed their surroundings. The male swan left to fetch water, inadvertently leaving his mate and their young ones vulnerable. The female swan, unable to escape with her fledglings, grew resentful as her partner failed to return in time. Believing males to be untrustworthy and callous, she perished in the flames along with her offspring. Upon his return, the male swan was devastated by the sight of their demise, succumbing to the agony by leaping into the fire himself.
The monk shared this haunting tale of their past lives and proposed a potential remedy. Chitrasen was advised to show Padmavati depictions of their previous existence, hoping to thaw her antipathy towards men just as ice melts in heat. Miraculously, the plan succeeded, and Padmavati, the daughter of King Padmarath, consented to marry Chitrasen. Over time, however, Chitrasen grew uneasy amidst the memories of their past, leading him, Padmavati, and Ratnasar to journey to Vasantpur. Here, they faced malevolent plots from King Virsen and Chitrasen's stepmother, both of which failed to end his life.
Ratnasar learned of an ominous prophecy from a Yaksha, predicting a venomous snake's bite that would spell either the prince's demise or his ascension to rulership over Kalinga for years to come. Fated to intervene, Ratnasar slew the cobra with a swift stroke, inadvertently staining Queen Padmavati's thigh with the serpent's blood. In his haste, Ratnasar attempted to cleanse the bloodstains, raising suspicions from the king who awoke suddenly. Trapped in a dilemma, Ratnasar chose to confess the truth, leading to his transformation into a stone, as foretold by the Yaksha.
Stricken by guilt and admiration for Ratnasar's unwavering loyalty, Chitrasen contemplated his doubts and made a solemn decision. He chose to join his devoted friend in death, intending to self-immolate on Ratnasar's funeral pyre. Touched by this profound display of friendship, the Yaksha materialized and offered a lifeline. A virtuous and utterly chaste woman, accompanied by her newborn son, could revive Ratnasar through her touch.
In due course, Queen Padmavati gave birth to a son, and her purity of heart and spirit proved effective. Her touch brought Ratnasar back to life. Eventually, the trio chose to forsake worldly pursuits and embarked on a path toward spiritual enlightenment, achieving salvation through renunciation.
