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Samaraketu, the hero of the bye-plot is the son of Candraketu, the King of the Simhala country. Dhanapala has depicted this character in more earthly, and hence concrete, colours than Harivahana, who, being far more superior to most other best of human beings, rather seems to be a soul of the superhuman world. As Samaraketu belongs to the Sinhala country, his bodily complexion is naturally 105 dark like the petals of blue lotus. His ear-rings, his necklace, his armlets, his red palms and his heavy dignified steppings are graphically described by the poet. Similarly, has he referred to the beauty of his forehead which resembled the digit of the Moon on the eighth day of 107 a month or fortnight. He has been introduced to Vajrayudha by his Pratiihari in the following words 108 104. Tilakamanjari,p.240(20-23). 106. ibid., pp.100-101.. 108. ibid.,p.95(3-5). / 105. ibid.,p.100(17ff.). / 107. ibid., p.198(12).

915 simhaladvipamarturmahanarendrasya candraketaratmajah sarvatisayina bhujavirya - vilasitena strasiksakamsalena ca vismatisakalaparthivah parthavatprdhivya- mekadhanvi samara keturnami | Even Meghavahana is impressed by Samaraketu's highspiritedness, daring, dauntless courage and eloquence in exchanging words with the enemy without getting angry as was evident from the report of Vijayavega about the nightattack. The relevant remarks are : tatha hyasya cintayannacintitatmaparasainyagurulaghavam manasvitam vibhavayannaikarathena krtamaharathasamuhamadhyapravesam sahasiktam vicarayanvighrtapala prakarsama tipari- bhasanesvasesaparusamalapavibhramama, avadharayannanadara nirastrikrtanikhilapara- cakranayakam sayakavyaparamaticiramatisthata | His education was mainly biased towards developing him into an unrivalled soldier and an able administrator, as is quite clear from the following introductory remarks of Samaraketu's account : * yathasaktikrtasastraparicayamadhi tani tividhamabhyastaniravadyadhanurvedamasigada - cakrakuntiprasadisu praharanavisesesu krtasramama 111 1 Thus, though he is intended to be an equal of Harivahana except in physical valour, the poet has chiefly brought to the forefront Samaraketu's martial qualities coupled with his friendly devotion to Harivahana; the net result being that though he is a dear and close friend of the latter, he 109. Tilakamanjari,p.99(20ff.). 111. ibid.,p.104(21ff.). / 110.ibid., p.114(17ff.).

916 really serves as a symbol of contrasting code of conduct in view of Dhanapala's Jainistic ideal of a ruler ruling more by his appeal to the heart than by his fame as a great warrior. Ka In comparision to that of Harivahana, the life of Samaraketu is rather a one of hardships. He is separated from his beloved the very moment he first happens to see her; and the very garland, a symbol of love, proves to be a veritable garland of death in that he tries to commit suici- 路 112 de on that account. He has to toil hard through the Vindhya forest to reach the Adrstapara lake in the Vidyadhara 113 region before he could meet Harivahana again. Inspite of his uncommon fortitude even in the midst of heavy odds, he still remains a veritable treasure of numerous miseries. Of course, in the eyes of Harivahana he is a sole bridge for crossing the unfathomable ocean of calamities. Harivahana rightly takes pride in introducing him to Tilakamanjari as a best of the warriors, and the chosen beloved of Mala- 115 114 yasundari. He is the veritable second heart of Prince Harivahana. -116 It is in the fitness of things that he also, like Harivahana, is but a boy of about eighteen years in age. 112. Tilakamanjari, pp.289-292. 114. ibid., p.231(1). 116. ibid., p.392(9). 117 His / 113. ibid., p.237(12ff.). / 115. ibid., p.231(17ff.). / 117. ibid.,p.276(19). .

917 dashing nature has its impact in the field of love too. He would prefer to suffer any type of physical hardship rather than lead a life of mental agony born of dishonourable neglect of his duty or failure in love. 118 120 To his subordinates he is very considerate as is eviden when he takes pains to convince Taraka while urging him to 119. pursue the unknown music on the strange island. This trait of Samaraketu issues from his introvert nature which enables him to visualize the other's point of view, which of course, he tries to use for getting his wish accomplished His staunch devotion and love for Harivahana, as also his high sensitiveness and proneness to be moved by 121 intense sorrow are perfectly in keeping with his young age. so is his proneness to commit suicide the moment he feels helpless in accomplishing any thing. We are rather amused to find how life-like and natural is his attitude when for separation from his beloved he holds Fate responsible and himself also for giving an opportunity to Fate by his own illluck which has paralysed his human endeavour! His galantry is evinced when he stops Bandhusundari from undertaking to offer him 'Argha' in the garden after he rescued Malayasundari from the noose of death. 123 And as a a man of honour he would prefer to win the hand of Malayasundari from her father by fighting and gaining victory over A 118. Tilakamanjari,p.143(21ff.);191(14ff.);323(22ff.). 119. ibid.,p.142(3ff.)./120.ibid.,p.148(20ff.)./121.ibid. 122. ibid.,p.290(16). /123.ibid.,pp.314-315. /pp.290-292.

918 the latter's enemy, rather than stealthily kidnap her betray 124 the trust of his own and her fathers. His sincerety makes him repent and gething ashamed when it dawns on him ka鈽� how he betrayed his beloved Priyamvada in his former 125 birth as god Sumali. His particular one-pointed endeavour in carrying out a task is seen during his search operation through the Vindhya forest at the end of which he happens to come across the beautiful region of the Adrstapara lake, but he would not allow himself to enjoy the sight, nor would he be lost in curiosity about the attractive plaque in the temple and 126 halt the search operation for a while. The religious fervour of Samaraketu is no less intense; he is regular in worshipping his family deity thrice a day even during his hazardous journey through the Vindhya forest. Only once did he fail to worship the deity in the evening when he was too much dejected and hopeless as his soldiers returned without the news about Harivahana's whereabouts, after the latter was kidnapped by the mad elephant. His profound sense of devotion is amply reflected in his 129 highly devotional hymn addressed to Lord Rsabha Jina, 124. ibid.,p.326. 125. ibid., p.420(11-18). 221(2ff.). 126. ibid.,p.208(22ff. 129: bld::8:114(22: 195(23); 199(9ff.); 199(12). 128. ibid., p.188(5). 129. ibid.,pp.218-219. * $

919 Inspite of his very young age he is quite shrewd enough to infer the reason why Harivahana did not indicate the location of his stay and promptly undertakes a hazardous 130 journey to the north. He intelligent enough to determine the auspicious hour by himself in times of emergency. 131 He would make sure of his route by breaking the journey for three or four days to inquire with aged people of the inter- 132. vening cities. "His practical outlook is well brought out when he advises Harivahana not to stake too much for an insignificant cause. 133 Thus in Samaraketu we have a fine young boy, an undaunted warrior, a highly devoted shrewd friend, a passionate lover, and a devout worshipper of the family deity as well of Lord Jina.