Jimutavahana

Jimutavahana was the lord of the Vidyadharas and has been portrayed as a hero of the famous drama Nagananda, by Harshavardhana.

The play Nagananda describes the superior sentiment of self-sacrifice and devotion of Jimutavahana towards his parents. The `shringara` sentiment in the drama is introduced only as a sort of conventional affair. In the original story of Jimutavahana it is said that, Jimutavahana leaves his empire with his parents and goes to Malaya Mountain. In this place Jimutavahana learns by his supernatural power that his relatives want to attack and occupy his kingdom knowing that he is quite powerless to defend without his `Kalpa vriksha`, the wish fulfilling tree.

Jimutavahana goes to the Gauri temple and sees Malayavati. He comes to know of her name and her life history from her companion or sakhi. Jimutavahana also relates his life history to her.

Malayavati wanted to marry Jimutavahana but it was not possible and knowing this Malayavati tries to commit suicide by hanging herself. The Goddess Gauri or Parvati prevents her from killing herself and promises her that Jimutavahana would become her husband.

Then Jimutavahana comes to know about the destruction of the Nagas by Garuda. He makes a decision that he would stop this destruction even by giving his own life. He stands on a slab of slaughter covered with a precious garment and is mistaken for a serpent by Garuda, who used to demolish the Nagas there.

The jewels and clothes which Jimutavahana was wearing fall at the feet of Malayavati and she comes to know of the death of her husband. Malayavati prepares herself for death. But at that moment Goddess Gauri appears and blesses and ultimately brings happy ending. Garuda promises not to kill any more serpents.