The Romance of Kadambari by Banabhatta Human: Provide a concise summary of the document in 2-3 sentences

O R I E N TA L TR A N S LA TI O N F UN D .
N EW S E RI E S .
T H E
K AD A MBA P J O F BANA .
g r a n s I a f e b w it h Q c c a s i o u a t Q m i s s i o u s
, ,
A N D A C CO M P A N I ED B Y A F U L L A B S T R A CT O F T HE CO N T I N U A T I O N O F T HE
R O M A N CE B Y T HE A U T HO R S ’
SO N B HT
J SH A N A B H A T T A ,
C . M . B I D D I N G,
F o rm e r ly S c ho la r of Gi n o n Co llege , Ca m br id ge .
P R I N T ED A ND P U B L I SH E D U N D E R T H E P A TR O N A G E O F TH E
R O YA L A S I A TI C S O CI E T Y ,
A ND S O LD AT
22 , A L B E M A R L E S T R E E T , L O N D O N .
1896 .
C O W E L L ,
WHO FI RS T TO LD ME
''
THE S T O RY O F K AD A M B A RI,
T HI S T RA N S L A T I O N
IS A F F E C T I O N A T E L Y D E D I CA T E D
A n e ll ak éralmvi shk ri t avfit saly e n a c ari t e n a k asya

b an d h ut vam ad h yé ro p ayasi
’
.
1
I N TR O D U CTI O N .
TH E st 0 1 y o f K a da m b a r i i s interesting for several 1 e aso n s .
I t i s a standard example o f c lass i c al pros e ; it has enj oy e d

a lo n g popularity a s a romance ; and it is o n e o f the c o m
p a r at i v e ly few Sanskrit w o r k s w hich can be assigned t o a
certain dat e and so it can serve a s a la n dm a rk in the ,
his t ory o f I n di a n literatur e and I n d i a n thought .
B an ab h at t a its author lived in t h e reign o f H a r s h a , ,
var d h an a of T h ah e gar the great king men

THE AU T H O R .
2
,
t i o n e d in m a n y inscription s who extended ,
his rule over the whol e of Northern India and f r o m whose ,
reign ( A D 6 0 6) dat e s the H a r s h a era used in Nepal

. .
,
.
B arga as he tells a s both in t h e Harsha Carita and in ’

-
, ,
the introductory verse s o f K a dambar i was a Vat syayan a ,

’
B rah m an His mother died w hil e h e wa s yet yo u n g and

.
,
his father s t e nd e r care of him record e d in t h e Harsha

’
,
‘
3
Carita wa s doubtl e ss in his memory a s he recorded the
,
’
"
u n se lfi sh lov e of V ai q am p a an a s father in K a dambar ‘ ’
y i
1
I t 1 s n e e dl e ss to g i v e h e r e mo r e th an
f cts ss n ti l f t h t he f ew a e e a or e
un d st n di n g i Kad mb i f t h li f e d t i m s of B an a W ill
er a o
‘
a ar ,
’
or e an e
p o b ab ly b
r t t e d of n t h t n sl t i o n of t h H sh C it by
e re a i e ra a e
‘
ar a ar a
’
P of sso Co w ll n d M Thom s th i s s i s n d P of sso P e t e

r e r e a r . a 111 er e a r e r r
o n s I n t od ct i o n to h i di t i o n of K ad m b i ( B m b ay S n sk i t
’ ‘ ’
s r u s e a ar o a r
S i s 1 8 89 ) d l s f lly wi th B a n a p l c i n li t t
er e , ea T h f acts
u
’
s a e e ra u re . e
h gi v n
e re f t h most p t t k n f m t h l tt
e ar e , or w k e ar ,
a e ro e a er or .
E g t h e M a dh b a
2
. .
, g n t of S m 2 5 E I i 6 7 ff F o th i s u n ra a , . . .
, . r
an d oth ch o n ol ogi c l f n c s I m i n d bt d to Mi ss C M D ff
er r a re e r e e a e e . . u ,
Wh h l t m t h M S of h Ch on ol ogy of I n di ‘ ’
o as e e u se e . er r a .
Fo Ba a
3
r l y l i f V H sh C i t chs i
n
’
s e ar I h av to e, .
‘
ar a -
ar a,
’
. .
, 11 . e
-
th an k M F W Thom s f r . ll owi n g m to
. t h p oof sh e e ts of
. a or a e se e e r -
h i t n s l ti o
s ra a n .
viii
(p . In his youth h e travell e d much and for a time ,
cam e into reproach by r e ason of his unsettled lif e but ,

’
the e xp e rienc e gained in f o r e ign lands turned his th o ughts

home w ards and h e r e turn e d to his kin and live d a life of
, ,
quiet study in th e ir midst F r o m this he was summon e d .
to t h e court of King Harsha who at fi r st receiv e d him ,
coldly but after wards attached him to his servic e ; and

,
B a h a in the Harsha Carita relates his own lif e a s a

‘
-
’
pr e lude to that of his master .
T h e other w o r ks attribut e d to him are t h e Can d ika

‘
k 1
vers s in h n r of C lika; a drama The ‘
c a t a a o r , e
’
o o u a ig c ,
M uk u t at ad i t aka
’
P arvat i p ari h aya ; and another called
’ ‘
, ,
t h e e xist e nce of which is inferred f r om G u n avi n ayagan i s

’
commentary on the N alac am p fi P r o f e ss o r P e t e rson als o .

’
S u b h ash i t avali 1 0 8 7 )
’
m e ntions that a verse o f B a h a s ’
,
’
is quoted by K sh e m e n dra in his A u c i t yavi c arac ar c a with ,
’
a statement that it is part of a description of K ad am b ari s
so rr ow in the absence of Can d rap i d a whence he adds it , , ,
wo u l d s e em that B an a wrote the story o f K a dambari in

vers e a s well as in prose and he gives some verses which ,
’
may have com e f r om such a w o rk .
B an a himself died leaving K a dambar i u n fi n i sh e d and , ,
his son B h fi sh ah ab h at t a took it up in t h e midst o f a spe e ch

in which K adam b ar i s s o rr o w s are told and continued the ’
speech without a break save for a few introductory vers e s ,
in h o n o u r of his father and in a p o lo gy for his having ,
undertaken the task a s its u nfi n i sh e d state was a grief to ,
H e continu e d the story on t h e same plan and

’
t h e good .
,
with careful and indeed exaggerated imitation of his

, , , ,
father s style ’
.
The story of K a dambari is a very complex o n e d e aling

‘ ’
THE m m O F as it does with the lives of two heroes each ,
K AD A M B A RT o f whom is r e born twice on e arth
( 1 4 7 )
-
A learned parrot named V a i ca m a
p y an a was , ,
brought by a Cand a la maiden to King Qfi dr aka and told ,
him how it was carried f r om its birthplace in the V indhy a

1P t so n K ad mb a i pp 9 6 98 ; an d
e er ,
‘
a r ,
’
.
-
Th e S u b h i shi t é v ali ,
’
e d i t d by P e t e so n ( Bomb ay S n sk i t S i s er e pp 6 2 66 -
e r a r ,
. .
ix
Forest t o the hermitage of the sage J a b a li from whom it ,
learnt the story of its form e r life .
( 4 7 9 5 ) J ab ali s story was a s f o ll ow s T ar api d a King of

’
-
,
U j j ayi n i won by penanc e a son Can drap i da who wa s

, , ,
brought up with Vai cam p ayan a son o f his minist e r , ,
Q u k a n a sa In d u e. time C an d r ap i d a was anointed as Cro w n

Prince an d started on an e xpedition of world conquest
,
-
.
A t the en d o f it h e reached Kail a sa and while r e sting , ,
th e re w a s le d o n e day in a vain chase o f a pair of kin n ar as

,
to the shores of the A c c h o da L ake ( 9 5 1 4 1 ) T here he .

-
b e held a young a sc e tic maid e n M ah acve t a who told him , ,
how she b e ing a Gandharva princess had seen and lov e d

, ,
a young Brahman P u n d ari ka ; how h e re t urning h e r ,
fe eling had died from t h e torments of a love at varianc e

,
with his vow h o w a divine being ha d carried his body to

t h e sky and bidd e n her not to die for she should b e
, ,
reunit e d with him ; and how she awaited that tim e in a

lif e o f penance ( 1 4 1 1 8 8.
) But -
her fri e nd K a dambar i ,
another Gandharva princess had vowed not to marry ,
while M ah acve t a w as in so rr ow and M ah acve t a invit e d ,
the princ e to come to help h e r in dissuading K a dambari

from the rash vo w Love sprang up b etwe e n the prince
.
and K a dambar i at fi rst sight but a sudden s u mmo n s from

his father took him to U j j ayi n i without farewell whil e ,
K a dambar i thinking h e rself d e serted almost died of grief

, ,
.
( 1 88 1 9 5 ) M e anwhile n e ws came that his friend

Vai cam p ayan a whom he had left in command o f the
,
army had been strangely a ffected by the sight of the

,
A c c h o d a L ake and refused to leave i t

,
Th e prince set .
o ut to fi n d him but in vain ; and proceeding to the

,
h e rmitage o f M ah acve t a he found her in d e spair b e cause

, , ,
in invoking on a young Brahman who had rashly ap ,
p r o a c h e d her a curs e to the e ff ect that he should become a

,
parrot sh e l e arnt that she had slain Vai cam p ayan a A t

, .
her wo r d s the prince f e ll dead from grief and at that ,
moment K a dambari came to the h e rmitage .
( 1 9 5 2 0-
2 ) Her resolve to follow him in death w a s brok e n
by the promise of a voice from the sky that sh e and
X
M ah acve t a should both be reunited with th e ir love rs and ,
she stayed to t e nd the prince s body from w hich a divine ’
radianc e proce e ded ; w hile King Tar api d a gave Up his

kingdom and lived as a h e rmit near his son
,
.
to d S uch w as J b li tal and t h parrot went ’
( 2 0 2 e n ) a a s e ; e
o n to say how hearing i t the memory o f its form e r love

, ,
f o r M ah acve t a wa s rea w akened and though hidd e n to stay , ,
in the h e rmitage it fl e w away only to be caught and taken

, ,
to the Cand ala princess I t w a s no w brought by her to

.
King Qfi dr aka but kne w no mor e Th e Cand a la maiden

,
.
ther e upon declared to Q fi d r aka t h at sh e wa s the goddes s

Lakshm i moth e r of P u n d ari ka o r V ai cam payan a and
, ,
announced that t h e c u rs e for him and Qfi dr aka was 11 0 W

ove r Th e n C fi draka sud de nly rememb e red his love for
.
K a dambari and wasted a w ay in longing for h e r whil e a

, ,
sudden touch of K a dambar i restored to life the Moon con

c e ale d in the body o f Can d r a i
p c la the form that he still ,
kept b e cause in it he had w on her love Now the Moon

, .
,
as Can d r ap i cla and Cfi d r aka and P u n d ari ka in t h e human

, ,
and parrot shape of V ai oam p ayan a having both f u lfi lle d ,
the curse of an unsucc e ssful love in two births o n earth ,
w er e at last set fr e e and receiving resp e ctively the hands

, ,
o f K a dambar i and M ah acve t a lived happily e ver aft e r ,
wards .
Th e plot is involved and consists of stories w ithin e ach

,
other aft e r the fashion long familiar to E urop e an s in t h e

Arabian Nights but the author s skill in construction is ’
shown by the fact that each o f the minor stories is essential

to the dev e lopment of the plot and it is not till quite the ,
e n d that we see that C fi dr aka himself the b earer o f the ,
story is really the hero and that his hearing the story is
, ,
necessary to r e awaken his love for K a dambar i and s o at ,
the same time f u lfi l the terms of the curse that he should

love in vain during two lives and bring the second life t o ,
an end by his longing for reunion It may help to make .
the plot clear if the threads of it are disentangled The .
author in person t e lls all that happens to Qadr aka

( pp 3 1 6 and p p 2 0 5 to end ) The parrot s tale ( pp 1 6 ’
-
. . . .
xi
20 5 ) include s that o f J a b a li ( p p 4 7 2 02 ) conc e rning Can .

-
d r api d a and V ai cam p ayan a t h e Brahma n w ith t h e story

, ,
told by M ah acve t a ( p p 1 0 1 1 3 6 ) of h e r love f o r P u n i lar i k a .

-
.
The story as told in the Kath a Sarit S a gara of S o m ad e va 1 - -
di ff ers in some respects from this Th e re .
THE ST O RY
A S TO LD m a Nish a da princess brought to Ki n g S u m an as
T HE K A THA a learned parrot which told its life in the ,
S I
AR T forest
'
e nded b y a hunt in w hich its father wa s

S A G ARA
-
killed and the story o f its pa st lif e narrat e d ,
by the h e rmit Aga stya In this story a princ e Soma .

,
p r a b h a aft e r an ,early lif e r e sembling t hat of C a n d r ap i c] a ,
w a s led in his pursuit o f ki n n aras to an asc e tic maid e n ,
M an o rat h ap r ab h a whose story is that of M ah acve t a and , ,
she took him at his own request to se e t h e maiden Maka

, ,
r an di ka who had vowed not to marry whil e her friend wa s

,
unwed H e wa s borne through t h e air by a Vi dyadh ara

.
,
and beh e ld M akar an dika They lov e d each other and a .

,
marriage w as arrang e d between th e m Th e princ e how .

,
ever w as suddenly recall e d by his fath e r and Ma haran

, ,
’
dik a s wild grief brought on her from h e r parents a c u rse
that she should be born a s a Nish a da T o o late they .
repented and died of grief ; and h e r fath e r b e cam e a

,
parrot keeping from a form e r birth a s a sag e his memory

,
o f the Gast r a s while her moth e r became a sow ,

P u last y a .
added that the curs e would be over w hen the story w as

told in a king s court ’
.
The parrot s tale reminded King Su m an as of his former

’
birth and o n the arrival of the a scetic maid e n sent by

, ,
i a who is merciful to all his worshippers he again

‘ ’
, ,
became the young hermit she had loved S o m ap rab h a too .

, ,
at i a s bidding went to the king s court and at the sight

’
,
’
of him the Nish a da regained t h e shape o f M akaran dika

'
and became his wife ; whil e the parrot left the body o f a ‘
’
bird and went to the hom e earned by his asceticism
,
.
‘
Thus the story ends t h e appointed union of human
,
’
,
‘
1
T r an sl t d by M C T wn y ( C l c tt a
a e r . . a e a u , vo l .
pp 1 7 -2 6
. .
S o m ad e v a d t e i bo t A D 10 6 8
’
s a s a u . . .
b e ings certainly takes place in this world though vast ,
spac e s int e rvene .
T h e main d i fi e r e n c e between t h e stori e s is in t h e p e rsons

a ff e ct e d by t h e curse ; and h e re the artistic superiority of
B a na is shown in his not attaching the d e grading forms of
birth to K a dambar i o r h e r par e nts Th e horse is given as .
a present to t h e hero by Indra who sends him a message , ,
saying : You are a Vi dyadh ar a and I give yo u t h e hors e ,
in memory o f our former friendship Wh e n yo u mount it .
you w ill b e invincible T h e h e ro s marriage is arranged .

’ ’
b e fore his sudden departur e so that the grief of the heroin e ,
is d u e only to their s e paration and not to the doubts o n ,
which B a na dwells so long It appears possible that both .
’
this story and K a dambar i are tak e n from a common original
‘
now lost which may be the B ri h at kat h aof G u n a( ] h ya

,
1
In .
that case the great e r r e fi n e m e n t of B a na s tal e would b e the ’
result of genius giving grace to a story already familiar in

a humbler guis e .
The author of t h e S ah it ya D arp an a s peaks of the 2

'
RE F E R E N C E S T O K A D A M B A R I Kath a a s follows : I n the Kath a ‘
I N T HE S A H I T YA D A R P A A
(-
tale ) whi c h i s o n e of t he sp e c i e s
N
,
A N D E L S E W HE R E
of o e t i c a l c o m o si t i o n i n p r o se a
“
p p ,
poetical matter is represent e d in v e rse and sometimes the ,
A ry a an d sometimes t h e V a htra and A p avakt raka ar e the

,
metres employ e d in i t It begins w ith stanza s in saluta .
tion to some divinity a s also d e scriptive o f the behaviour ,
of bad m e n and others To this the comm e ntary adds : .

’
Th e K a dambar i o f B an ab h at t a is an example Pro

“ ’
.
f e sso r P e t e rson corrects t h e translation of the words

K at h ay am sarasam vastu p ady ai r e va vi n i r m i t am giving
’
a s their sense A narration in prose with here and ther e

, ,
a stray verse or two of m a t t er a lre ady ex i st i ng i n a m e t r i c a l

,
3
or m
f According to his rendering t h e Kath a is in its
’
.
,
essence a story claiming to be based o n previous works in

verse whether in this ca se the original w e re B a na s o wn
,
’
1
V P t so n K ad mb i p p 8 2 9 6
. e er ,
‘
a ar ,
’
.
-
.
2
T n sl t d by B ll n tyn n d P m d a D as M i t ( C l c tt
ra a e a a e a ra a -
a- ra a u a,
567 T h i t l i cs
. p s n t wo ds s ppli d by t h t n sl to s
e a re re e r u e e ra a r .
3 ‘
K ad mb i p 6 9a ar ,
’
. .
xiii
metrica l version o f K a dambari or the work which was ,

’ 1
also the origina l o f the Kath a Sarit S a gara story - -

.
The story of P u n d ari ka and M ah acve t a r e ceive s mention ,
fi r st ly for t h e introduction of death contrary to t h e canon

, ,
secondly f o r the d e t e rmination o f the nature of their

,
sorrow and its po e tic quality and consequent appeal to t h e

, ,
f e elings o f the reader F irstly 2 1 5 ) Death whi c h i s a

.
,
c o n di t i o n m ay be br o ught by lo ve , i s n o t d esc r i be d
t o whi c h one
i n p o e t ry a n d t he d r a ma , whe r e t he o t he r c o n di t i o n s , su c h a s
a n x i e t y , e t c , ar e c o n st a n t ly d e sc r i be d , b e cause i t , i n st ea d of
.
e n ha n c i ng, caus e s t h e d e struction o f B ut it “

Flavour.
”2
may be spoken of ( 1 ) a s having nearly tak e n plac e o r ( 2) ,
a s being mentally wished for and it is wi t h p r op ri e t y

d e scribed ( 3 ) if there is to b e at no distant dat e a r e st o ra , ,
tion to life Th e commentary takes the story of P u n clari ka

’
.
as an example of the third condition and describes it a s a ,
case o f pathetic separation Secondl y 2 2 4 ) E ither o f .

’
two young lovers being dead and being yet to be regained ,
t h ro ugh so me sup er n a t u r a l i n t erp o si t i o n when the one lef t ,
be hi n d is sorrowful th e n let it be called the s e paration o f

,
tender sadn e ss ( hari ln avip ra lam hha ) The commentary .
gives M ah acve t a as the instance and continu e s : But if ,

‘
t h e lo st o n e b e not regainabl e o r regai n abl e o n ly af t e r t ra ns ,
m igr a t i o n in anoth e r body t h e fl avo u r is called t h e ,
Path e tic simply t he r e bei ng i n t hi s c ase n o r o o m f o r any

,
a d mi x t u re of t he E ro t ic but in the case j ust men t ioned

of P u n d ari ka and M ah acve t a— immediat e ly on Sarasvat i s ’
d e claration from the sky t ha t t he lo r c rs sho u ld be r e un i t e d

”
,
t here is the E rotic in its form o f t e nd e r sadness for

“
,
desire arises o n the expectation o f reunion but P R E VI O U S L Y ,
t o S a m sva t i s p r o mi se there w as the Path e tic such is

’ “
t h e opinion of t h e competent authoriti e s And as for w hat

some say in r e gard to the case o f P n ndari ha a n d Nl a ha gi e t a ,
that moreover A F T E R t h e expectation of reunion exc i t e d ,
by S a m sm t i s p ro m ise t o t ha t ej e c t ther e is mer e ly your

’
P of sso P t son do s
1
r e r e er e not , howe v e r, m k e thi s d d ct i o n
a e u in
f vo of B an s wn v si on
a ur a
’
o er .
2
I . w po e t i c ch a m
e .
, ra ,
r .
xiv
ho n our s variety of love in abs e nc e 222) t h e on e which

’
you call b e ing abroa d 221 —

) oth e rs hold it to b e distinct ,
because of t h e presence of that distinction D E A T H whi c h i s , ,
som e t hi ng e lse t ha n m e r e ly be i ng a br o a d These ar e t h e ’

.
pa ssag e s in w hich direct m e ntion is made of K a dambari ,

’
and in 7 3 5 which d e fi n e s special m e ntion ( p ar i sai nkhyoi )

,
a s taking place w hen something is affi r m e d for the denial ,
e xpressed or understood of something e lse similar to i t

’
, ,
the comm e ntary adds : When founded upon a Parono

masia it is p e culiarly striking e y
,
Wh e n th at king ,
. .
,
“
,
the conqu e ror of the world wa s protecting the earth the , ,
mixture of colours ( o ca stes ) wa s in painting etc

r
”— a , ,
passage from the description of Qudraka in K a dambari

(p 5)
Referenc e s to B a na in oth e r works are giv e n by Pro
f e sso r Peterson so that three only ne e d b e m e ntion e d here
, .
T he fi rst I owe to the kindness o f Prof e ssor 0 B e ndall . .
In a coll e ction of manuscripts at the British Museum

( O r , 445 44 7 ) consisting c h i e fl y of law books transcribed
.
- -
( perhaps for some E uropean ) on E uropean paper in t h e

Telugu Canarese charact e r o n e O r 4 4 6 c the K aman
-
,
’
,
.
,
.
,
da hi ya N i ti Qast r a contains o n folios 1 2 8 1 3 1 a passage

- -
,
-
from K a dambar i ( pp 7 6 8 4 i nf ra ) on the consecration of

1 ’
.
-
,
a crown prince and the duties and dang e rs o f a king It

-
, .
forms part o f an introduction to the K am an d aki ya N i ti -
Q a st r a and occurs without any hint of its being a q u otation

,
from anoth e r work T he author of t h e N alac am p u not only .
writes a v e rse in honour o f B a na b ut models his whole

2
,
style upon him A curious instanc e of the long popularity .
of K a dambar i is that in the D u r ge can an di n i by Ch at t aj i

‘ ’ ‘ ’
an historical novel published in 1 8 7 1 and treating o f the , ,
time o f A kbar t h e heroine is repr e s ented as r e ading in h e r

,
boudoir t h e rom ance o f K a dambari 3

.
’
1 ‘
K ad mb
N i r n ay a i
a ari
’
S g ar a P e ss Bomb y
r a pp 2 0 5 -
22 1 E y am
sam at i k ram at su — a a am a
, , , . .
j
’
g .
2
Bomb y d t o
a e i i n, p 6 . .
3
P of sso Cow ll s
r e r e
’
re v i e w of A B e n g li H i sto i c l N ov e l
‘
a r a .
’
M ac
mi ll n A p i l 1 8 7 2
a , r , .
XV
I t may be asked What is the value o f K a dambari for ‘ ’
THE I N T E R E S T E uropean readers 2 and to di ff erent persons ‘
the an sw er will doubtless b e di ff e rent

K A D A M 3 1 11 13
‘
OF
.
Historical interest so far a s that depends o n the narration ,
o f historical facts appears to be entir e ly lacking though it , ,
may be that at some future tim e our knowledge from other

sources may be so increased that we may recognise portraits
and allusions in what seems now purely a work o f romanc e .
B ut in the wider sense in which history claims to deal with

t h e social ideas th at belong to any epoch K a dambar i w ill ‘ ’
al w ays have value a s repr e sentin g t h e ways of thinking

and feeling which w ere either customary o r welcom e at its
o wn time and which have continued to char m Indian
,
readers It is indeed true that it probably in many ways

.
does n o t give a picture o f contemporary manners j ust as a ,
medi aeval illu minat e d manuscript oft e n represents the dress

an d surroundings prior to the time of t h e illuminator so ,
as to gain the grac e of re m oteness bestowed by reverence

for the past In India where change works but slowly
.
, ,
the description o f the court and city life where all the ,
subj ects show by out w ard tok e ns th e ir sympathy with t h e

j oys and sorrows of th e ir ruler a s in a Gr e e k chorus is ,
.
,
Vivid in its fi de li t y 1
Th e quiet y e t busy lif e of the hermits .
in t h e for e st where the day is spent in worship and in

,
peaceful toils where at eve the sunb e ams linger lik e birds
,
o n the crest o f hill and tree and where night darken s all ’
2
save the hearts o f the hermits is full of charm ,
’
.
1 P t so n K adamb i p
V . e er ,
‘
ar ,
’
.
I n d d thi s d e sc i pt i o n i so l i k e i n sp i i t to th t of C l i v x
2
ee , r s r a a r au ,
t h at I c n ot fo b q oti n g f w li n s of t h l tt
a n r e ar T h w it
u a e e e a er . e r er
d sc i b s t h wo kshops wh t h b th n l bo
e r e e r nd t h o ch d ere e re re a ur , a e r ar
u s e d f o st n d q i t tho ght n d go s n to y how t h A b
r re a u e u , a e o sa e u e
i s ra i s d by t h to i l s of t h
e b th n to t h l v l of t h A bb y ; i t
e e re re e e e e e
th ows h l f i t w t i n to t h Abb y
r a s if to s l t t h b th n
a er e e ,
‘
as a u e e re re ,
an d s ms to xc s i ts l f f n t comi n g i n i t whol fo c Th ’
ee e u e e or o s e r e . en
‘
it t n s wi th p i d c n t to t h st m n d
r e ur ra d s to i t i n
u rre e re a , a ren er ,
t h n m of C l i v
e a x th n ks f
e ll t h
a r s vi c s whi ch i t h p
au ,
a or a e er e as er
fo m d T h w i t e th n go s n to t ll of t h fo n t in whi ch p
r e .
’
e r r e e o e e u a , ro
t t d by a g assy p v i l i o n
ec e i s s f om t h mo n t i n
r a d i q i ckly , r e r e u a ,
an s u
en gulf d in t h v ll y off i n g i ts e l f to ch m t h si ght n d s ppl y

e e a e , er ar e a u
t h w n ts of t h e b th n
a if i t w n t w illi n g to h v comm n i a u
'
e re re , as ere o e
t i on wi th an y oth s th an s in ts Th i s l ast i s ly to ch wo thy

er a .
’
s ure a u r
xvi
The coronation of the crown prince the penances per ,
formed by the queen t o win a son the reverence paid to ,
M ah ak ala also belo n g to o u r picture of the time

,
The .
d e scription of U j j ayini surrounded by the Sipr a is t o o , ,
g e neral in its term s to give a Vivid notion o f what it th e n

was The site o f the temple o f M ah akala is still sho w n
.
outside t h e ruins o f the o ld town A point o f special .
int e rest is the argument against the custom o f suicide on

the death o f a friend Can drap i d a consoles M ah acve t a that .
she h as not fol l owed her lover in death by sayin g that o n e

w ho kills himself at his friend s d e ath makes that fri e nd a ’
shar e r in the guilt and can do no more for him in another ,
w orld whereas by livi n g he can give help by sac rifi c e s and

,
off erin gs Those too who die may n o t be r e unit e d for

.
, ,
1
thousands of births In the Kath a Ko c a a princ e is .
‘
-
’
dissuaded from following his wife to dea t h b e caus e E ven ‘
t h e idea o f union with your b e lov e d w ill be impossibl e when

you are dead but the occurrence o f the idea in a romance
is more noteworthy than in a work which illustrat e s J ain
doctrines The question o f food a s a ff ected by cast e is
.
touched o n also ( p when the Cand a la maid e n t e lls .
the parrot that a Brahman may in case o f need receiv e , ,
food of any kind and that water poured o n the ground and , ,
fruit are pure even when brought by the lowest An other

,
.
point to be remarked is the mention of followers of many

sects as being present at court i a esp e cially under t h e .
,
name o f M ah akala at U jj ayi ni rec e ives sp e cial w orship an d , ,
A gni and the M at r ikas ( p 1 4 ) also receive rever e nc e T he . .
z enanas includ e aged ascetic women ( p follo w e rs of .
the Arhat Krishna Vi cravasa A valo ki t e cvara and V i ri fi c a

, , , ,
(p . and t h e courtyard o f Q u k an asa has Q ai v a s and

followers of Qakyam un i ( p also K sh ap an akas ( e x .
plained by the Commentary a s Digambaras ) Th e king 2

.
,
of B a na . V D r E al e
. . r an l a i
’
st s t on o f ‘
St . B e r n ar d s Wo k s
’
r .
’
Lon do n ,
1 8 89 , vo l . ii , p p 4 62 4 6 7
. .
-
.
1
T r an s t d by
la e Mr C a ne . . T w y . Ori e n t al T r an sl at i o n F u n d S e ri e s ,
p . 113 .
2
V . K ad mb a ari ,
’
N ir n ay a S ag ar a, p 19 , 1 2
. . .
xvii
however i s described a s having an mm ( the hair meeting

,
between the brows ) which is one of B uddha s marks ; but ,

’
the Commentary describe s the ai r na a s

'
t i n am e r a n d nyasya so probably it only belongs t o

'
Buddha a s or universal rul e r This s h ows .
that the reign o f Harsha wa s o n e o f religious tolerance .
H i o u e n Th san g indeed claims him as a B uddhist at heart

, , ,
1
and mentions his building B uddhis t st upas but he describes ,
himself a s a Qaiva in the Madhuban grant and the pre 2

,
emin e nce yi e lded in K a dambari to Civa certainly shows ‘ ’
that his was then the popular worship .
Another source of interest in K a dambari lies in its ‘ ’
contribution to folklore It may p e rhaps contain nothin g .
not found elsewhere but the fact of its having a date gives it ,
a value The love o f snakes for the breeze and for sanda l
.
tre e s the truth o f dr e am s at the end of night the magic

, ,
circles bathing in snake ponds to gain a son the mustard

,
-
,
seed and gh i put in a baby s mouth may all be familiar ’

,
idea s but we have a date at which th e y were known and

,
not despis e d Does the appeal to the truth o f her heart by

.
M ah acve t a in invoking the curse ( p 1 9 3) rest o n the idea .
that fi d e li t y to a husband conf e rs sup e rnatural power or 3

,
is it like the act o f truth by which B uddha often performs

miracl e s in the J a taka
T h e uns e ttled chronology o f Indian literature makes it
impossible to work o u t at present B a na s ’
THE ST YL E O F
K A D AM B AR I relations with other Sanskrit
.
’ writers P ro .
f e sso r Peterson 4
indeed makes some i n , ,
t e r e st in g conj ectures a s to his connection with oth e r

authors of his own country and also suggests from simi , ,
lari t y o f phrase that he may have fallen indirectly under

,
the in flu e nce of Al e xandrian literature B e that a s it may .

,
1
H iou en St t r an sl t d by
a e . J ul i e n M émo ir e s
,
su r le s
Con t s cc d t s
O i e n al e , I , pp 24 7 2 6 5 Cf al so H ar sh a C ari t a v ch.
’
r ée iii
’
- -
.
. . . .
,
( p 23 6
. of t s to
t h e r an l a i n ) , e re h e a wh p ys g re a t hon o ur to B u ddh st
a i
s g
a e .
2
E I . . i 67
. .
3
V . K th S i t S ag
a a- ar -
i 5 05
ar a ,
’
.
4
V .
pp 9.7 1 04 -
.
xviii
he has been for many centuries a model o f style and it is ,
therefore worth while to consider b ri e fly the characteristics

o f his style compare d with E uropean standards The fi rst .
thing t h at strikes the reader is that the sen se of proportion ,
the very foundation o f styl e a s we know i t is entirely ,
absent N o topic is let go till the author can squeez e no

.
more from i t In description s e very possible minor detai l

.
is give n in all its fulness ; then follows a series of similes ,
and then a fi rewo rk o f puns In speeches be th e y l amenta .

,
tions or exhortations grief is n o t assuaged nor advice , ,
ended till the same thing has been uttered with every
,
e x isting variety of synonym This defect though it sprin gs .

,
from the author s richness of resource and readiness of ’
Wi t makes t h e task of rendering in E nglish the merit of

,
the Sanskrit style an impossible o n e It gives also a fa l se .
impr e ssion ; for to u s a l ong description if good gives the , ,
e ff ect of sweetness l ong drawn out and if bad brings

‘
,
’
, ,
drowsiness whereas in Sanskrit t h e unending compounds

s uggest the impetuous rush o f a torrent and the similes ,
and puns ar e like the play o f light and shade on its waters .
B a na according to Professor Weber

,
1
passes for the special ,
representative of the P a n c a l i style which B hoj a quoted

2
,
’
in the commentary of t h e S ah i t ya D arp an a d e fi n e s as -

,
’
‘
a sweet and soft style characterized by force ( aj as) and
elegance ( han t i ) containing compounds o f fi ve or six
,
words B ut style which is to poetic charm a s the body

.
’
to the soul varies with the sense to be expr e ssed and

, ,
B a na in many o f his speeches is p e rfectly simpl e and

dir e ct O wing t o the peac e fulness o f K a dambar i there is
.
,
’
little opportunity for observing the rul e that in t h e Kath a ’
l etters ought n o t to b e too rough e ven wh e n the fl avo u r ,
is furious 3
O i t h e alliteration of initial consonants the
’
.
,
only long passage is in the description of Qukan asa ( p .
but in its subtler form s it constantly occurs O i shorter .
pa ssages there are several e xamples Candra Cand a la

1
V H i sto ry 0 1 I n di an L i t e r at u r e t r an sl ati on Lo n do n 1 8 7 8
.
‘
,
’
, , ,
p 2 32
. .
2
V S ah i t y a D
‘ ’
.
-
arp an a , 6 2 6 6 28
-
.
3
I bi d , 6 30 . .
XX
The author of t h e R agh av ap an d avi ya considers S u b an dh u ’
and B a na as his only e quals 11] t a ki o kt i 0 1 crooked sp e ech , ,
S ah i t y a
’
and the fault of a mean i ng to be guessed o u t ‘
D arp an a 5 7 4 ) is not rare

,
’
Th e Kavya P r akaca in
.
,
’
addition to the references give n by P i o f e sso r Peterson ,
quot e s a stanz a describing a horse in the Harsha Carita -
( chap iii ) a s an xampl f bh h i

’
. . e e o s v a ot i o t r
.
The hero belongs to the division describ e d a s t h e high

spirited but temperat e and fi rm S ah i t ya D arp an a
,
-
,
’
i e
. . he who is not given to boasting placable very
, , ,
profound with gr e at self command r e solute whose self

,
-
, ,
’
e st e e m is concealed and faithful to his e ngagements
,
and ,
who ha s the eight manly qualiti e s o f brilliancy Vivacity ’

, ,
s w eetness of temp e r depth o f character st e adfastness k e e n

, , ,
sense o f honour gallantry and magnanim i ty ( I bi d

, ,
’
.
,
K a dambar i i s the type of t h e youthf u l h e roine who feels

love for t h e fi rst tim e is shy and gentle e ven in indigna , ,
tion ( I bi d .
,
T h e companion s of e ach ar e also those
declar e d in t h e books of rhetoric to be appropriat e .
The work which most invites comparison with K a dam

bari is o n e far r e moved from it in place and
—
time Sp e ns e r s Fa e rie Qu e ene ’
B oth have .
’
in great measure t h e same faults and t h e

same Virtues The lack of proportion due partly to too
.
— ,
large a p l a n partly to an imagination wandering at will

,
t h e ab sence of visualization — which in Spenser produces

sometimes a line lik e
A l ov e l y L a d i e r od e h im f ai r e b e s i d e
U po n a l owl y A ss e mo r e wh i t e th e n s n o w ,
Ye t sh e mu ch
and in B a na many a description like that of M ah acve t a s ’
f al rn e ss ( p p 9 5 9 7 ) —the undiscriminating prais e bestowed

.
-
on those whom they would fain honour the shadowy nature ,
of ma n y of their personages and the intricacies in which ,
the story loses itself are faults common to both Both , .

,
too by a strange coincidence died with their work u n

, ,
fi n i sh e d .B ut if they have the s ame faults th e y have ,
also many o f the same virtues The love of what is .

xxi
beautiful and pure both in character and t h e w orld around ,
tenderness of heart a gent l e spirit troubl e d by the disquiet ,
1
o f life grace and sweetness of style and idyllic simplicity
, , ,
are common to both Though however Can d rapi d a may .

, ,
have the chivalry and reverence of the Red Cross Knight ,
and Una share w ith K a dambari o r Rohin i nobility tend e r ,
2
ness loftine s s of s oul devotion and charm
,
the E nglish
, ,
’
hero and heroin e are more real and mor e str e nuous We .
are ind e ed told in one hurried sentence o f t h e heroic

, ,
deeds of Can d r ap i d a in his world conquest and his self -

,
control and fi rm n e ss are often insisted o n ; but a s he

appears throughout the book his s e lf control is constantly ,
-
broken down by afi e c t i o n or gri e f and his fi rm n e ss ,
destroyed by a timid balancing of c o n fl i c t in g duties whil e ,
his real virtu e is his unfailing gentleness and courtesy .
N o r could K a dambari like Una bid him in any c o n fl i c t , , , ,
‘
A dd faith unto your force and be not faint She is ,
.
’
perhaps in youth and entire self surr e nder more like

,
-
,
Shakespeare s J u li e t but she lacks her co urage and

’
resolve .
T h e likeness o f spirit between these t wo leads to t h e qu e s

tion Had B a na like Spenser any purpose , , , ,
THE P U R P O S E
OF
‘
K A D AM B AR I ethical or political
.
’ und e rlying his story ? ,
O n the surface it i s pur e romanc e and it is ,
hard to believ e that he had any motive but the simple

d e light o f self expression and love for the children of his
-
o wn imagination H e only claims to tell a story tender

.
‘
with t h e charm o f gracious speech that comes of itself , ,
3
like a bride to the possession of its lord ; but it may be
,
’
t h at h e gladly gathered up in o ld age the fruits o f his life s ’
experience and that his own memory o f his fath e r s tend e r

,
’
ness to his childhood of the t e mptations of youth and of , ,
the dangers o f prosperity and fl at t e ry that a ssail the heart

o f kings wa s not used only to adorn a tale
, but to be a ,
guid e to others on t h e perilous path o f life B e that as it .
may the interest o f K a dambar i like that of the Faerie

, ,
’
Cf S p e n s e r s st an z as o n M ut ab i l i ty
1 ’
. .
2
V i n f r a , p 2 08
. . .
3
V i nf
. ra, p 2 .
xxii
Queene does n o t depend f o r u s now o n any underlying

,
’
purpose but o n the pictur e it pr e s e nts in itself of t h e life

,
and thought o f a world removed in time but not in ,
sympathy from o u r o wn ; on the fresh understanding it

,
gives o f those who are in the widest sense our fellow

countrym e n ; and o n the charm to quote t h e beautiful ,
w ords of Professor Peterson o i a story o f human sorrow ,

‘
and divine consolation o f d e ath and the passionate longing ,
for a union aft e r d e ath that goes straight from the heart ,
o f o n e who had hims e lf felt the pang and nursed the hop e , ,
to u s who are of like frame with him the story which

from the beginning o f tim e mortal e ars have yearned to
hear but which mortal lips have never spoken
, .
’
The tran slation o f B a na pres e nts much diffic u lt y from the

elaboration of his styl e and it ha s been a ,
THE P L A N O F T HE
spec ally hard task and m e t m e an 1m
T RAN S L AT I O N i .
so l s ,
possible one t o give any r e nd e ring o f t h e ,
constant play o n words in which he delights I have some .
tim e s e nd e avoured to give what might be an E nglish e q u iva

lent and in such ca ses I have add e d in a note the literal
,
meaning o f both alternatives ; p e rhaps t o o much freedom

may have be en used and sometimes also the b e st alt e rna ,
tive may not have been chos e n to place in the te x t ; but

those who hav e most exp e rience will know how hard it i s to
do otherwis e than fail Some long descriptions have b e en .
omitted such e g a s a passage o f several pag e s d e sc rib

, , . .
,
ing ho w the d u st rose under t h e f e et of Can dr api d a s ’
army and others where there seemed no special int e rest

,
o r variety to redeem their tediousn e ss A list o f thes e .
1
omissions is given at the end together with an app e ndix , ,
in which a fe w passages c h i e fly interesting a s mentionin g ,
religious sects are added I have act e d o n Professor

, .
’
Cow e ll s a dvice a s to the principle o n which omission s
are made as also in giving only a full abstract and not
, ,
a translation o f the continuation of K a dambar i by

,
‘ ’
1
st l ooks l on g b u t t h p g e s i n t h e N i n y S ag
T h e li , e a r a a- ar a e di ti on
con t f q n t ly b t f w lin s n d m n y of t h omi ssi o n s
ain r e ue u e e , a a e ar e a lin e
or two of oft p t e d s i mi l s
re
-
ea e .
x x iii
Bh ushana It is so entirely an imitation of his father s

.
’
work in sty l e with al l his fau l ts and without the originality

, ,
that rede e ms them that it woul d not reward translation , .
In my ab stract I have kept the direct narration a s more

simple but even when passages are given rather fully it
, ,
doe s not profes s in any case to be more than a very free -
rendering sometimes only the sense o f a whole passage is

summed u p I regret that th e system of transliteration
.
approved by the Roya l Asiatic Society came t o o l ate f o r

a doption here .
The edition o f K a dambari to which the references in the ‘ ’
text are given is that o f the N i r n aya S a gara Press ( Bombay -
which the full commentary mak e s indispensabl e but ,
I have also throughout made use of Professor Peterson s ’
edition ( Bombay Sanskri t Series No F or t h e last ,

.
1
ha l f of the Second Part I have referred to an anonymous
literal translation published by the New Britannia Press ,
Depository 7 8 Amherst Street Calcutta

, , ,
.
I have now to o ff er my grat e ful thanks to the Secretary

of State for I ndia without whose kind help the volume ,
could n o t have been pub l ished I have also to thank Miss .
C M Du ff for allowing me to use the M S o f her Indian

‘
. . .
Chronology Miss E Dal e o f Girton College for botanical .

, ,
notes which I regret that want o f space prevented my

,
prin ting in full ; M r C Tawney librarian o f the Indian . .

,
O ffi c e for information as to the sources o f Indian fi c t i o n ;

,
M r F F Arbuthnot and Professor Rhys Davids for valu

. . .
-
,
able advice ; Prof e ssor 0 Bendall for his description of .

,
t h e K am an daki ya Nit i Qast ra and his con stant kindness - -

,
about my work ; M r F W Thomas of Trinity Co l lege . . .

, ,
for letting me see the proof sheets o f the tran slation o f t h e -
Harsha Carita ; and others for s uggested renderings of ’
di ffi c u lt phrases and for help of various kinds , .
2
B ut especially my thanks are due to Profes sor Cowell
1
B e gin n i n g t p 5 66 of t h e N i n y S ag
a . di ti o n ‘
r a a- ar a e .
2
I h t k e t h oppo tu n i ty to ck n owl dg wh t by n ov e si ght
ere a e r a e e a a r
w as o m i tt d i n i t p op e pl c my in d bt dn ss to P of e sso Cow ll
e s r r a e, e e e r r e
f or th
e re nd i n g i n to E n gl i sh v s of two co p l e ts gi v n o n p p 1 1
er er e u e .
an d 1 1 3 .
for a generosity and unwearied helpfu l ness which all his
pupils know and which perhaps f e w but th e y could
,
imagin e I read through with him the whole of the First

.
Part before translating it myself so that mistak e s in the

,
translation many a s they may b e can arise only from mis

, ,
understanding o n my part from too great fr e e dom o f

,
rendering or from failing to have recours e to t h e know

,
ledge h e so freely gives .
V r ih at sah ay ah kar yan t am k sh o d i yan ap i gac c h at i ;

sa m b h u y am b o dh i m ab h y e t i m ah an a dy a n agap aga
’
.
K AD A M B A RI .
( 1 ) HA I L to the Birth l ess the cause of creation continuance , , ,
1
and destruction triple in form and quality who shows
, ,
activity in the birth of things goodness in their continu ,
a n ce and darkness in their destruction

, .
( 2 ) Glory to the dust of T ryam b aka s feet caressed by the

’
2
diadem of the demon B a na ; even that dust that kisses the
circle of Ha vana s ten crest gem s that rests on the crests
’
-
,
of the lords of gods and demons and that destroys o ur ,
transitory life .
( )3 Glory to V ishnu who resolving to strike from afar

, , ,
with but a moment s glance from his wrath i n fl am e d eye

’
-
stained the breast o f his enemy a s if it had burst of itself ,
in terror .
I salute the lotus feet of B h at su honoured by crowned

3
,
M au kh ari s the fe e t which hav e their tawny toes rubbed on

a footstool made by the united crowns of n eighbouring kings .
Who is there that fears n o t the wicked pitiless l n cause ,
less enmity ; in whose mouth calumny hard to bear is

always ready as the poison of a serpent 2 ‘
The wicked like fetters echo harshly wound deep l y and

, , , ,
leave a scar ; whi l e the good like j ewelled anklets ever , ,
charm the mind with sweet sounds .
( 4) In a bad man gentle words sink no deeper than the

throat like nectar swallowed by R a hu
,
The good man .
bears them constantly o n his heart as Hari his pure gem ,

.
1
As the th re e Ve d s a , or the t i ad
r .
2
V i s nu h P ur an a , Bk . V ., ch . 33 .
3
His gu ru .
2
story tender with the charm o f gracious speech creates

A ,
in the heart j o y full of fresh int e rest ; and it comes o f itself

1
,
with native f e eling to its lord s possession like a fresh ,

’
,
2
bride .
Who is not carried captiv e by tales fashion e d in freshness

o f speech all alight with similes and t h e lamps o f glowing
, ,
words : pleasant tales in terwoven with many a contrast of

3
words as j asmine garlands with c am p ak buds 2

4
,
‘
There was once a Brahman Kuvera by nam e sprung , ,
from the race of Vat syayan a sung throughout the world ,
for his virtue a lead e r o f the good : his lotus feet were
,
worshipped by many a Gupta and he se e med a very ,
portion of Brahma .
( 5 ) O n his mouth Sarasvat i e v e r dwelt : for in it all evil

was stilled by the V eda ; it had lips p u r ifi e d by sac rifi c i al
cak e and a palate bitt e r with soma and it was plea sant
, ,
with smriti and c a stra .
In his house frightened boys a s th e y repeated vers e s of ,
the Yaj ur and S a ma Ve da we re chidden at ev e ry w ord by ,
cag e d parrots and m ai n as who wer e thoroughly vers e d in ,
everything b e longing to words .
From him was born A r t h ap at i a lord of the twic e born ,

-
,
as H i ran yagar b h a from the world e gg the moon from the -

,
Milky Oc e an o r Garuda from Vinat a , .
A s h e unfold e d his spreading discourse day b y day at

dawn new troops of pupils intent on listening gav e him a
,
5
, ,
ne w glory like fresh sandal shoots fi xe d on the ear

,
-
.
( 6 ) With countless sac rifi c e s adorn e d w ith gifts duly

off ered having glowing Mah avi ra fi r e s in their midst and
6
,
7
,
raising t h e sac ri fi c i al posts as their hands he won ea sily

8
, ,
a s if with a troop o f elephant s t h e abode of the gods , .
1
R a sa = ( a ) t h e
ght ( 6) l ov ei r a sa s e .
g
2
y y a=
a ( ) compos i t i o n ; (a6) co ch u .
( ) Wh i ch sp kl e wi th e mph t i c wo d s
3
a ar a r an d s im il s ; e ( 6) l ik e
fl h i n g l mps
as a .
; ( b) p oxi m i ty H n gin g n h i o m t
4
( ) P n
a u r .
5
a o s c ar (as an n n )r a e .
I n t h c s of l ph n ts
3
e h vi n g th i i cho
a e e e a , a e r r re g l t d by p op
u a e a r er
gi m n
re e .
’
Wi th n own d w i o s n th i b cks
7
re e arr r o e r a .
H v in g t n ks thi ck
3
a ac i fi i l posts
ru as as s r c a .
4
1
honoured by a l l the wor l d like the elephant o f the quarter s ,
b e constantly poured forth a stream o f generosity He .
wa s a worker o f wonders an o fferer o f sac rifi c e s a mirror , ,
o f moral l aw a source o f the arts a native home o f Virtue ;

, ,
a s pring o f the ambrosia l sweetness o f poetry a mountain ,
2
o f sunrise to all his friends and a direful comet to all his ,
foes ( 9 ) H e was moreover a founder of l iterary societies

.
, , ,
a refuge for men of taste a rej ecter of haughty b o wh o ld e rs , ,
a l eader among the bold a chief among the wise H e was ,

.
a cause o f gladness to the humble as Vain at e ya was to3

,
Vinat a He rooted up with the point of his b o w the

.
boundary mountain s o f his foes a s P ri t h u raj a did the

-
noble mountain s H e mocked Krishna also for whi l e the

.
, ,
l atter made his boa s t of his man lion form he him self -
,
smote down the hearts of his foes by his very name an d ,
while Krishna wearied the universe with his three steps ,
he subdued the whole world by one heroic e ffort Glory .
long dwelt o n the watered edge o f his sword as if to wa sh ,
o ff the stain o f contact with a thousand base chieftains ,
which had clung to her too long .
B y the indwelling o f Dharma in his mind Yama in his ,
wrath Kuvera in his kindness Agni i n his splendour

,
.
, ,
E arth in his arm L akshm i in his glance Sarasvati in his

, ,
eloquence ( 1 0 ) the Moon in his face t h e Wind in his might

, , ,
Brihaspati in his knowl e dge L ove in his beauty the S un , ,
in his glory h e resembled holy N a r a yana whose nature

, ,
manifests every form and who is the very essence of deity , .
Royal glory came to him onc e for all like a woman coming ,
to meet her lover o n the nights o f battle stormy with the

,
shower s o f ichor from the e l e phants temples and stood by ’
him in the midst of the darkness of thousands o f coats o f

mail loosened from the doors of the brea sts o f warriors
, .
She seemed to be drawn irresistibly by hi s sword which ,
wa s uneven in its edge by reason o f the drop s o f wat e r ,
forced o u t by the pressure of his strong hand and which ,
1
h n d wa w e t wi th st e am o f con s t an t gi vin g ; ( b) t h e
( a) H i s a s a r
t n k w a w t wi th i cho
ru s e r.
2
O to t h e s n s b
r, V i n t a= ( ) moth e o f G aru da ( b) h u mb l e
u
’
or .
3
a a r .
was decked with l arge pearls clinging to it when he clove
the frontal bones o f wild e l ephants The fl am e of his .
maj esty burnt day and night as if it were a fi re within his ,
foes fair wives albeit reft o f their lords a s if he would

’
, ,
destroy the husbands now only enshrined in their hearts .
( 1 1 ) While h e having subdued the earth was guardian o f

, ,
1
the wor l d the only mixing of colour was in painting ; the
,
only pulling of hair in caresses ; the only strict fetters in the

laws of poetry ; the only care wa s concernin g moral law ;
2
the only deception wa s in dream s ; the only golden rod s
were in umbrel l as Banner s a l one trembled songs alone
.
s howed variations ; elephants a l one were rampant ; b ows

3 4
alone ha d severed cords ; lattice windows alone ha d

5
ensnaring network ; lovers disputes alone caused sending ’
of messengers dice and chessmen alone left empty squares

and his subj ects ha d n o deserted home s Under him too .
, ,
there wa s only fear of the next world only twisting in the ,
curls of the zenana women only loquacity in anklets only , ,
taking the hand in marriage only shedding o f tears from

6
,
the smoke o f cea s ele s s sac rifi c i al fi re s ; the only sound o f

the lash was f o r horses while the only twang o f the b o w
,
’
wa s Love s .
( 1 5 ) When the thousand rayed s un bursting open the -

,
young lotus bud s had not long risen though it had lost
-
, ,
somewhat o f the pinkness o f dawn a portress approached ,
the king in his hall o f audience and humbly addressed ,
him Her form wa s lovely yet awe inspiring and w i th

.
,
-
,
the scimitar ( a weapon rarely worn by women) hanging at

her l eft s ide wa s like a sandal tree girt by a snake Her
,
-
.
bosom glistened with rich sandal ointment like the

heavenly Ganges when the frontal bone o f A i ravat a rise s -
from it s waters ( 1 6) The chiefs bent before her seemed

.
,
by her re fl ec t i o n on their crests to bear her o n their fore ,
7
head s a s a roya l command in human form Like autumn .
,
she was robed in the whit ene s s o f h am sas ; l ike the b l ade
1
Or, c st
a e . O r, fi nes of gol d .
3 O r , fi c kle aff e ct i on s .
4
p d
H ad , m a d a = ( a) ri e ; ( 6) i cho r .
5
b k g w y f om
O r , re a in a a r Vir u e t .
3
O r, t i bu t e
r .
7
t m
I n au u n , t h e h a insa s , o r i l w d ge e s e , r e ur nt .
of P aracu ram ashe he l d the circle o f kings in s ubmission ;
1
l ike the forest land of the Vin dh yas she bore her wand , ,
and she seemed the very guardian goddess o f the realm -

.
Placing o n the ground her lotus hand and kn e e she thu s ,
spake : Sir e there sta n ds at t h e gate a Can d é la maiden

,
from the South a royal glory o f the race o f that Tr i camku

,
2
wh o climbed the sky but fell from it at the murmur of,
wrathful Indra She bears a parrot in a cage and bids

.
,
me thus hail your maj esty : Sire thou like the ocean , , ,
art alone worthy to receive the treasures o f the whole earth .
In the thought that this bird is a marvel and th e treas ure ,
of the whole earth I bring it to lay at thy feet an d desire

, ,
”
to behold thee ( 1 7 ) Thou 0 king h ast heard her mes
.
, ,
sage and must decide

, S o saying she ended her speech ,
.
The king whose curiosity was aroused looked at th e chiefs

, ,
around him and with the words Why not ? Bid her
,
‘
enter gave his permission .
Then the portres s immediately o n the king s order

,
’
ush e red in the Cand a la maiden And she entered and .
beh e ld the king in the midst o f a thousand chiefs like ,
golden peaked Meru in the midst o f the noble moun

-
tains crouching together in fear of Indra s thunderbolt o r ’

,
in that the brightnes s o f the j ewels scattered o n his dress

almost concealed his form like a day o f storm whereon , ,
the eight quarters o f the globe are covered by Indra s ’
thousand bows H e was sitting on a couch studded with

.
moon stones beneath a small silken canopy white a s the

-
, ,
foam o f the river s of heaven with its four j ewel encru s ted ,
-
pillars j oined by golden chains and enwreathed w ith a ,
rope o f l arge pearls Many cowries with golden handl e s

.
waved around him ( 1 8 ) his left foot rested on a footstool

o f crystal that wa s like the moon bent in humiliation before
the fl ash in g beauty o f his countenance and was adorned by ,
the brightness of his feet which yet were tinged with b l ue ,
from the light rays o f the sapphire pave ment a s though ,
darkened by the sighs of his conquered foes His breast .

,
crimsoned by the rubies which shone o n his throne recalled ,
1
O r, b mboo s
a .
2
R am I . . 60 .
Krishna red with blood from the fre s h slaughter o f Madhu
,
kai t ab h a ; his two silken garments white a s the foam o f ,
ambrosia with pairs of h am sas painted in yellow o n their

,
hem waved in the wind raised by the cowrie s the fragrant

,
sandal unguent with which his chest wa s whitened b e ,
sprinkled with sa ff ron ointment wa s l ike snowy K ailé sa ,
w ith the early sunshine upon it his face was encircled by

pearls like stars mistaking it for the moon ; the sapphire
bracelets that clasped his arms were a s a threat o f chains
to bin d fi c kle fortune o r a s s nakes attracted by the s mell o f
,
sandal wood ( 1 9 ) the lotus in his ear hung down slightly ;

-
his nose was aquiline his eyes were l ike lotuses in full
,
blossom the hair grew in a circle between his brow s and

, ,
was p u rifi e d by the waters that in augurated his possession

of universal rule his forehead wa s like a piece o f the
e ighth day moon made into a block of pure gold gar l anded
-
,
with sweet j asmine like the Western Mountain in the dawn

,
with the stars growing pale o n its brow H e wa s like the .
God o f Love when struck by i a s fi re for his body was ’
tawny from the colour o f his ornaments His hand .
maidens surrounded him a s if they were the goddesses of

,
the quarters of the globe come to worship him ; the earth

bore him a s on her heart through loyalty in the re fl e c t i o n
, , ,
of his image in her cl e ar mosaic pavement ; fortune seemed

his alone though by him she was given to all to enj oy
,
.
( 2 0 ) H e was without a second though

, his followers were
without number ; he trusted only to his own sword though ,
he had countless elephants and hor s es in his retinue h e

fille d the whole earth though he stood in a s mall s pace of
,
ground he rested only o n his bow and yet wa s seated on ,
his throne he sho n e with the fl ame o f maj esty though all ,
the fuel of his en e mies was uprooted ; he had large eyes ,
and yet saw the smallest things he was the home o f all
Virtues and yet was overreaching ; he wa s beloved o f his
,
1
wives and yet wa s a despotic lord he was free from in

,
to x ication though he ha d an unfailing stream o f bounty ;

,
2
he was fair in nature yet in conduct a Krishna ; he laid
,
1
H e h ad ( a ) gr e at fau l ts ; ( b) a l o n g arm 2
D ark
. .
8
1
no heavy hand o n his subj ects and yet the whole wor l d ,
rested in his grasp .
Such was this king A n d she yet afar beho l ding him . ,
with a hand soft as t h e peta l of a red lotus and sur ,
rounded by a tinkling b racelet and clasping the bamboo ,
with its end j agged ( 2 1 ) s truck once o n the mo s aic fl o o r

,
to arou s e the king ; and at the s ound in a moment the ,
whole a ssemblage of chiefs turned their eyes from the king

to her l ike a herd of wild elephants at the fallin g of the
,
’
cocoanut Then the king with the words Look yonder
’
.
, , ,
to his suite gazed steadily upon the Cand a la maiden as

, ,
she wa s pointed out by the portress Before her went a .
man who s e hair wa s hoary with age whose eyes were the
, ,
colour o f the red lotus whose j oints despite the loss of , ,
youth were fi rm from incessant labour whose form

, , ,
though that of a M a tanga was not to be despised and , ,
who wore the white raiment meet for a court B ehind her .
went a Cand a la boy with locks falling on either shou l der

, ,
bearing a cage the bar s of which though o f go l d shone

, , ,
like emerald from the re fl e c t i o n of the parrot s p l umage ’

.
( 22) She herself s eemed by the darkness o f her hue to

’
imitate Krishna when he guilefully assumed a woman s
attire to take away the amrita seized by the demons She .
wa s as it were a doll of sapphire walkin g alone ; and over

, ,
the blue garment which reached to her ankle there fell

, ,
a veil of red silk like evening sunshine falling on b l ue

,
l otuses The circle of her cheek wa s whitened by the ear

.
ring that hung from o n e ear like the face o f night inlaid ,
with the ray s o f the rising moon ; she ha d a tawny tilaka

o f go r o c an a a s if it were a third eye like Parvat i in
, ,
mountaineer s attire after the fashion o f the garb o f

’
i a .
She was l ike Qri darkened by the s apphire g l ory o f ,
N a r a yana re fl e c t e d o n the robe on her breast o r like Rati ,
s t ained by smoke which rose a s Madana wa s burnt by the

fi re o f wrathful i a ; or like Yamun a fl e e i n g in fear o f ,
being drawn along by the ploughshare of wi l d Ba l ar a ma ;

1
I . e .
, i mpos d n o h e avy t i b t e
e r u .
9
o r, from the rich l ac that turned her lotus feet into budding
shoots like Durg a with her feet crimsoned by the blood o f
, ,
the Asura Mahisha she ha d j ust trampled upon .
( 2 3 ) Her nails were rosy from the pink glow o f her

fi n ge rs the mosaic pavement s eemed too hard for her
touch and she came forward placing her feet like tender
, ,
twigs upon the ground .
The rays o f her anklet s rising in fi am e co l our seemed to ,

-
,
encircle her a s with the arms of Agni a s though by his , ,
love for her beauty he would purify the stain o f her birth
, ,
and so s et the Creator at naught .
Her girdle wa s like the stars wreathed on the brow o f

the elephant of L ove ; and h er necklace wa s a rope of
large bright pearls like the s tream of Gang a j ust ting e d by
,
Yamun a .
Like a utumn she opened her lotus eye s ; like the rainy
,
s eason she had cloudy tresse s ; like the circle o f t h e

,
Malaya Hills she wa s wreathed with sandal ( 2 4) like the

,
1
z odiac she wa s decked with starry gem s ; like Qri she
, ,
had the fairness o f a lotus in her hand like a swoon she ,
entranced the heart ; like a forest she wa s endow e d with ,
2
living beauty like the child of a goddess she was claimed ,
3
by no tribe ; like sleep she charmed the eyes ; as a ,
lotus pool in a wood is troubled by elephants s o wa s she

-
,
dimmed by her M a tanga birth ; like a spirit she might

1 ‘
not be touched like a letter s he gladdened the eyes alone ,
like the blossoms o f spring she lacked the j a ti fl o we r ; her ,

5
slender waist like the line o f L ove s bow could be spanned

,
’
by the hands ; with her curly hair she was like the ,
Lakshm i o f the Yaksha king in Alaka 6

She had but .
reached the fl o we r o f her youth and was beautifu l exceed ,
i n gly. And the king wa s ama z ed ; and the thought aro s e

in his mind ( 2 5 ) Ill placed wa s the l abour of the Creator
,
-
in producing this beauty ! For if she has been created a s

1
Or wi th c i t r a an d gr ay an a lun ar m an si on s
, ,
’
.
2
O r li vi n g c r e at ur e s
, .
( a ) O i l o wl y b irth ; n o t dw e llin g o n e ar th
3
.
4
( ) C dzt la ; ( b) e l e ph an t
‘
a an .
5
O r , aj at i , wi tho t c st e u a .
3
A la ka = ( a) c l s ; ( b) c i ty
ur a .
10
though in mock e ry o i her Cand a la form such that all the .

,
world s wealth o f loveliness 1 s laughed to scorn by her

’
own why was she born in a race with which none can
,
mat e 2 Surely by thought alone did Praj a pati cr e ate her

‘
,
fearing the penalties of contact with the M a tanga race ,
else wh e nce this unsullied radianc e a grac e that b e longs ,
n o t to limb s sullied by touch ? Moreover though fair in ,
form by the ba seness of her birth whereby she lik e a

, , ,
Lakshmi o f t h e lower world is a perp e tual reproach to th e ,
1
gods she lovely a s she is causes fear in Brahma the
, , , ,
maker o i so strange a union. While the king was thus .

’
thinking the maiden garlanded with fl o we rs that fel l over , ,
her e ars bowed herself before him with a c o n fid e n c e

,
beyond her years And when she had made her reverence .
and st e pped o n to the mosaic fl o o r her attendant takin g , ,
the parrot which had j ust entered the cage advanced a

, ,
few steps and showing it to the king said : Sire this

, , , ,
parrot by name Vai cam p it yan a knows t h e meaning o f all

’
, ,
the c a stras is e xpert in t h e practic e o f royal policy

, ,
( 2 6) skilled in tales history and P a ran as and acquainted , , ,
with songs and with musical intervals H e recites and .

,
himself composes graceful and incomparable modern

romances love stories plays and po e ms and t h e like he
,
-
, , ,
is versed in witticisms and is an unrivalled d isciple of the ,
Vi n a fl ut e and drum
,
H e is skilled in displaying the
, .
di fi e r e n t movements of dancing dextrous in painting v e ry , ,
bold in play ready in resources to calm a maiden angered

,
in a lover s quarrel and familiar with the charact e ristics

’
of elephants horses men and women H e is the gem o f, , , .
the whole earth and in the thought that tr e a sur e s belong

to thee a s pearls to the ocean the daughter o f my lord has
, ,
brought him hither to thy feet 0 king ! Let him be ,
accepted as thine .
’
Having thus said he laid the cage before the king and ,
retired ( 2 7 ) And when he wa s gone the king of birds

.
, ,
standing b e fore the king and raising hi s right foot having , ,
uttered the words All hail ! recited to the king in a song ,

’
1
O r, whos e l ov e wo l d b u e a re p o ach
r .
12
announcing that t h e sun had reached the z enith ( 2 9 ) And .

,
hearing this the king dismissed hi s band o f chiefs as the

, ,
hour for bathing wa s at hand and arose from hi s ha l l of ,
audience .
Then as he started the great chiefs thronged together

, ,
as they rose tearing their silk raiment with the leaf work
,
-
o f their bracelets a s it f e ll from its place in the hurried

,
movem e nt Their necklaces were swinging with the

.
shock t h e quarters of space were made tawny by shower s

o f fragrant sandal powder and sa ff ron s cattered from their
-
limbs in their re s tlessness the bees arose in swarms from

their garlands o f m a lat i fl o we r s all quivering ; their ,
cheeks were caressed by the l otuses in their ears half ,

.
hanging down ; their strings of pearls were tremb l ing o n

—
their bosoms each longed in his self consciousness to pay -
his respects to the king a s he departed .
The hall o f audience wa s astir on all sides with the sound

o f the anklets o f the co wrie bearers as they disappeared in
all directions bearing the cowries o n their s h oulders their

, ,
gems tinkling at every step broken by t h e cry of the ,
kalah am sas eager t o drink the lotus honey ; ( 30 ) with the

,
pleasant music o f the j ewelled girdles and wreath s of the

dancin g girls coming to pay their respects a s they struck
-
their breast and sides ; with the cries o f the kalah am sas
o f the palace lake which charmed by the sound o f the
, ,
anklets whitened the broad steps of the ha ll of audience ;

,
with the voices of the tame cranes eager for the sound o f ,
the girdles screamin g more and more with a prolonged

,
outcry like the scratching of bell metal ; with the heavy

,
-
tramp on the fl o o r of the hall of audience struck by the feet

of a hundred neighbouring chiefs suddenly departing ,
which seemed to shake the earth like a hurricane ; with

the cry o f Look from the wand bearing usher s who were -
,
driving the people in confu s ion before them and shouting ,
l oudly yet good naturedly Behold

,
-
long and shrill
, ,
resounding far by its echo in the bower s o f the pa l ace ;

( 3 1 ) with the ringing of the pavement as it wa s s cratched by
t h e point s o f diadems with their proj ect ing aigrette s a s the ,
13
kings swiftly bent ti l l their trembling crest gems touched -
the ground ; with the tinkling o f the earrings a s they rang

’
on the hard mosaic in their owners obeisance ; with the
s pace pervading din o f the bards reciting auspicious verses
-
,
and coming forwar d with the p l ea s ant continuous cry ,
L ong life and Vi c t ory to our king with the hum o f the
bees a s they rose up leaving the fl o we r s by reason o f the ,
turmoi l o f the hundred s o f departing feet ; with the clash

o f the j ewe ll ed pillars o n which th e gems were set j angling
from being struck by the point s o f the brace l ets a s the

chieftains fell hastily prostrate in their confusion The ki ng .
then dismissed the assembled chiefs saying Rest awhile , ,

‘
and after s ay ing to the Cand al a maiden Let Vai cam p ayan a ,
‘
be take n into the inner apartments and giving the order ,

’
to his bete l nut bearer he went accompanied by a few

-
, ,
favourite prince s to his private apartments There laying

,
.
,
aside his adornments l ike the s un divested o f his rays or

, ,
the sky bare o f moon and stars he entered the hall o f ,
exercise where all wa s du l y prepared Having taken

,
.
pleasant e x ercise therein with th e princes of his o wn age ,
( ) he then entered the bathing place which was covered

3 2 -
,
with a white canopy surrounde d by the verse s o f many

,
a bard It had a go l d bath fi lle d with sc e nted water in

.
,
its midst with a crysta l bathing seat placed by i t and

,
-
,
was adorned with pitcher s placed o n o n e side ful l of ,
most fragrant waters havin g their mouths darkened by

,
bees attracted by the odour a s if they were covered with ,
blue cloths from fear of the heat ( 3 3 ) Then the hand

, .
m aidens some darkened by the r e fl e c t i o n o f their emerald

,
j ars like embodied lotuses with th e ir l eafy cups some

, ,
holding s ilver pitchers like night with a stream o f l ight

,
shed by the fu l l moon duly besprinkled the king , .
( ) Straightway there arose a blare o f the trumpets

3 4
sounded f o r bathing penetrating al l the hollows o f the
,
universe accompanied by the din o f song lute fl u t e

, , , ,
drum cymbal and tabor resounding shril l y in diverse

, , ,
tones mingled with the uproar o f a multitude o f bards

, ,
and c l eaving the path o f hearing Then in due order the .

, ,
14
king put upon him two white garments light a s a shed ,
snake skin and wearing a turban with an edge o f fi n e silk

-
, , ,
pure as a fl e c k of white cloud lik e Hima laya with the stream ,
o f the h e av e nly riv e r falli n g upon i t h e made his libation to ,
the Pitris with a handful o f wat e r consecrated by a hymn , ,
and then prostrating himself b e fore the sun proce e ded to

, ,
the temple When he had worshipped i a and made an

.
,
o ff ering to A gni ( 35 ) his limbs were anointed in the

,
perfuming room with sandal wood sweetened with the

- -
,
fragrance of sa ff ron camphor and musk the scent o f , , ,
which wa s followed by murmuring bees he put on a chaplet

of scented m a lat i fl o we r s changed his garb and with no , , ,
adornment save his j ew e lled earrings h e together with the , ,
kings for w ho m a fi t t i n g meal was prepar e d broke his

, ,
fast with t h e pl e asure that arises from the enj oyment o f

,
viands o f sw e et savour Then having drunk o f a fragrant .

,
drug rinsed his mouth and taken his bet e l he arose from
, , ,
his dai s with its bright mosaic pavement The portress who
, .
,
was close b y hastened to him and leaning o n h e r arm he

, , ,
went to the hall o f a udi e nce follow e d by the attendants ,
worthy to enter the inner apartments whos e palms were ,
like boughs very hard from their fi rm grasp of their

,
wands .
The hal l show e d a s though walled with crystal by rea so n

o f the white silk that draped its ends ; the j e welled fl o o r
was watered to coolness with sandal water to which was -

,
added very fragrant musk ; the pure mosaic wa s cea selessly

strewn with masses o f blossoms a s t h e sky with its b e vy ,
of stars ; ( 3 6 ) many a golden pillar shon e forth p u ri fi e d ,
w ith scented water and d e cked with countl e ss images a s

, ,
though with t he household gods in their niches ; aloe

spread its fragrance richly ; the whole was dominated by an
alcove which h e ld a couch white as a cloud after storm
, ,
with a fi o we r s cented covering a pillow of fi n e linen at the

-
,
head castors encrusted with gems and a j ew e lled footstoo l

, ,
by its sid e like the peak of Him a laya to b e hold

, .
Reclining on this couch while a maiden s e at e d on the , ,
ground having placed in her bosom the dagger she wa s

,
15
wont to bear gently rubbed h i s f e e t with a palm soft as the

,
leaves of fresh lotuses the king rested for a short time , ,
and held converse on many a theme with the kings ,
ministers and friends whose presence was me e t for that

,
hour .
H e then bade t h e portr e ss wh o was at hand to fetch , ,
Vai cam p ayan a from the women s apartm e nts for he had
’
b e come curious to learn his story And she bending hand .

,
and knee to the ground with the words Thy wil l shall ,
be done ! taking the command on her head f u lfi lle d

’
,
his bidding ( 3 7 ) Soon Vai cam p ayan a approached the

.
king having his cage born by the portress under the escort
, ,
of a herald leaning on a gold sta ff slightly b e nt white

, , ,
robed wearing a t o p knot silvered with age slow in gait

,
-
, ,
and tremulous in sp e ech like an aged fl am in go in his lov e ,
for the race of birds who placing his pa l m o n the ground

, , ,
thus deliv e red his message : Sir e t h e queens send thee ,
word that by thy command this Vai cam payan a has b e en

bathed and fed and is now brought by the portress to thy
,
feet.
’
Thus speaking he retired and the king a sk e d , ,
Vai cam p ay an a : Hast thou in the interval eat e n food

‘
su ffi c i e n t and to thy taste Sire repli e d h e what have ’

, ,
I not eaten 2 I have drunk my fi ll o f t h e j uice of t h e j amb a

‘
fruit aromatically swe e t pink and blue as a cuckoo s e y e

, ,
’
in the gladness of spring ; I have crack e d the pomegranate

s e e ds bright a s p e arls wet with blood which lions claws
, ,
’
have torn from t h e frontal bones of elephants I hav e torn .
at my wil l o ld myrobalans green as lotus leaves and sweet , ,
as grapes ( 38 ) But what need o f furth e r words ? For

.
e verything brought by the queen s with their o wn hands

’
turns to ambrosia And the king rebuking his talk said
.
, ,
L e t al l this cease f o r a while and do thou remove o u r

‘
,
curiosity Tell a s from the Very beginning the whole

.
—
history o f thy birth i n what country and how wert thou ,
born an d by whom was thy name given ? Who were thy

,
father and mother ? How came thine attainment of the

V edas and thin e acquaintance with t h e gast ras and thy
, ,
skill in the fi n e arts What caused thy remembrance o f a

16
former birth 2 Wa s it a specia l boon given thee

‘
O r dost
thou dwell in disguise wearing the form only of a bird and
, ,
where didst thou formerly dwel l ? How o l d art tho u and ,
how came this bondage o f a cage and the falling into the ,
hands o f a Cand a la maiden and thy coming hither ,
Thus respectfully questioned by the king whose curiosity ,
was kindled Vai cam p éyan a thought a moment and

, ,
reverently replied Sire the tale is long but if it is thy

, ,
’
pleasure l et it be heard
,
.
There is a forest by name Vindhya that embraces the

, ,
shores o f the eastern an d western ocean and decks the ,
centra l r e gion as though it were the earth s zone ( 3 9 ) It ’

.
is beauteou s with tr e es watered with the ichor o f wil d

elephants and bearing on their crests masses o f white
,
blossom that rise to the sky and Vie with the stars ; in it
the p e pper trees bitten by ospreys in their spring gladness
-
, ,
spread th e ir boughs tam ala branches trampled by young

elephants fi ll it with fragrance ; shoots in hue like the
wine fi u sh e d che c ks o f M alab ari s a s though roseate with
-
,
l ac from the feet o f wandering wood nymphs overshadow -

,
it
. Bowers there are too wet with drippings from parrot
, ,
pierced pomegranates ; bo we rs in which the ground is

covered with torn fruit and leaves shaken down by rest l ess
monkeys from the kakkola trees o r sprink l ed with pol l en ,
from ever falling blossoms or s trewn with couches of clove

-
,
branches by travellers o r hemmed in by fi n e cocoanuts , ,
ke t aki s kari ras and b aku las bowers so fair that with th e ir
, ,
areca trees girt about with betel vines they make a fi t t in g ,
home for a woodland Lakshmi Thickly growing el ai s make

'
the wood dark and fragrant a s with the ichor o f wild ,
e l ephants ; ( 4 0) hundreds of lions who meet their death ,
from barbaric leaders eager to sei z e the pearls o f the

elephants frontal bones still c l inging to their mouth and
’
-
claw s roam therein ; it is fearful a s the ha unt o f death

, ,
l ike the citade l of Yama an d fi lle d with the bu ffa l oes dear
,
to him like an army ready for batt l e it has bees resting ,
o n its arrow trees a s the points o n arrow s and the roar of

-
, ,
7
the lion is clear a s the lion cry o f onset it has rhinoceros -
tusks dreadful a s the dagger o f D u rgé and like her is ,
adorned with red sandal wood ; like t h e story o f K ar n i su t a -

,
it has its Vi p ula Acala and Qaca in the wide mountain s ,
1
haunted by hares that l ie near it a s the twilight of the ,
l ast e ve o f an aeon has the frantic dance of blue necked -
i a so has
, it the dances of blue necked peacocks and -
,
bursts into c so n a s the time o f churning the ocean had

the glory of Qri and the tree which grants all desires and ,
2
was surrounded by s weet draughts of Va runa so is it ,
adorned by Qri tr e es and Varuna trees It is densely dark

2
.
,
a s the rainy season with clouds and decked with poo l s in ,
countless hundreds ; like the moon it is alway s the haunt

3
,
4
of the bears and is the home of the deer , ( 4 1 ) Like a .
king s palace it is adorn e d by the tails o f cowrie deer and

’
,
5
,
protected by troops o f fi e rc e elephants L ike D ur gé it is .

,
strong o f nature and haunted by the lion Like Si t é it

3
,
.
,
has its Ku c a and is held by the wander e r o f nigh t

,
?
Like a
maiden in love it wear s the sc e nt of sandal and musk and
, ,
is a dorned with a t i laka o f bright aloes ; like a lady in her

8
l over s absence it is fanned with the wind of many a

’
,
9
bough and possessed o f Madana ; like a child s neck
,
’
10
it is bright with rows o f tiger s claws and adorned with a ’
-
,
rhinoceros ; like a hall o f revelry with its honeyed draughts

11
,
12
it ha s hundreds o f beehives Visib l e and is strewn with ,
fl o we rs In parts it has a circle o f earth torn up by the

.
tusk s o f large boars like the end o f the world when the ,
circle of the earth was l ifted up by the t a sks o f M ah évar éh a

1
V i pu la, A c al a , an d C a a,
c ch ar a ct ser in t he B ri h at k at h a . O r,
b o ad mo n t
r u ai n s an d h ar e s .
2
t
V a r u n a , r e e v ar u n a , wi n e .
3
w th ght
O r, i li n i n g .
4
Co st t o s
n e ll a i n The . moon w as s ppos e d to h v
u a e a de er dw lli n g e
in it .
5
( ) a co wThe i s h l d by t hr es u i t e 6
( ) deiff e n t k i n ds o f d e
e re er .
3
( ) Rocky ; ( 6) h vi n g i
a a a .
7
n a ( ) S i t a s a n ; ( 6) g ass ’
N i ga so r : ( ) B av i
ar ; (rb) o w l s . ca a a a .
3
( ) M
a k of a l o
ar s n t h b o w ; ( )
b e t i l k a
o t e s a n d leo e t e s
r a ll a r e a re
b ri gh t .
9
( at ) Lov e ( b) m d n t a a a re e s .
10
As an a m l t u e .
11
N am of e an o n m nt
r a e .
12
Wi n e- c ps
u .
18
here like the city of B ava ri a it is fi lle d with lofty c alas

, ,
1
inhabited by restless monkeys ; ( 4 2 ) here it is lik e the scene ,
o f a recent wedding bright with fresh ku c a gra ss fuel , , ,
fi o we r s acacia and p alé ca ; here it seem s to bristl e in

, , ,
terror at the lions roar ; here it is vocal with cuckoos ’
wild for j oy ; here it is as if in excit e m e nt resonant with , ,
the sound of palms in t h e strong wind ; here it drops its

2
,
palm l e aves like a widow giving up her e arrings her e like

-
,
a fi e ld of battle it is fi lle d with arrowy r e eds ; here like

3
, ,
Indra s body it has a thousand n e t r as ; here lik e V ishnu s

’
,
4
,
’
form it ha s the darkness of t am fi las ; here lik e the banner

,
5
,
o f A rj u n a s chariot
’
it is bla zoned with monk e ys ; here , ,
like t h e court of an earthly king it is hard of access , ,
through the bamboos ; here l ike t h e city of King Vi r ét a , ,
it is guarded by a K i c aka ; h e re like the Lakshm i o f the

3
,
sky it has the tremu l ous eyes of its deer pursued by the
,
hunter ; here like an ascetic it ha s bark bushes and

7
, , , ,
ragg e d strips and grass 8

( 4 3 ) Tho ugh adorned with .
S ap t ap ar n a it yet poss e sses leaves innumerable ; though

9
,
10
honoured by ascetics it i s yet very savage ; though in its ,
season of blossom it i s yet m ost pure ,

.
In that forest there is a hermitage famed throughout ,
—
the world a very birthplace o f Dharma It is adorned .
with trees tended by L O p am u dr é a s her own children fed ,
with water sprinkled by h e r own hands and tr e nched ,
round by hers e lf She w as the wife o f t h e great ascetic .
Agastya ; he it wa s who at the prayer o f Indra drank up

the waters of ocean and wh o when the V indhya moun , ,
tains by a thousand wide peaks stretching to the sky in

,
1
(a) H all s ; ( b) 951 t r e e s .
2
(a) C l appi n g of h an ds ; ( 6) p al m t re e s -
.
3
(a) Arr ows ; ( b) r e e ds 4
( a ) T re e s ; ( b) e y e s
. .
5
( )
a A s t am al a t r e e s ( v e r y d ark) ( b) wi th t amal a t re e s .
3
V i ra a , t a kin g who b f i n d d e r e e t he Pan d v s a a . Th e chi f o f hi
e s
a m y vas n a me d K i c k V Mbh B k iv 8 15 K i c a ka l so m e n s
i y
a a . . .
, . .
, . a a
am l o o
’
.
7
twi nk l in g st s o f t h e D
O r, t he co n st ll ti on pu s e d by
ar e er e a ,
r u t he
H n t ( con st e ll ti o n )
u er a a .
B k g m e n ts m tt d l ocks n d gs o f g ss
3
ar ar , a e , a ra ra .
( ) S v n l e av s ; ( b ) t
9
a e e e a re e .
( ) O i fi c e di sp os i t i on ; ( 6) f ll of wil d b sts
13
a er u ea .
20
watered with the blood o f countless hosts o f demons struck

down by R a ma s many keen shafts and a s if now its
’
,
p a l ac as were stained with their crimson hue ; there even ,
yet the o ld deer nurtured by S i t a when they hear the

, ,
deep roar o f fresh clouds in the rainy season think on the ,
twang o f R ama s bow penetrating all the hollows of the

’
universe and refuse their mouthfuls of fresh grass while

, ,
their eyes are dimmed by ceaseless tears a s they see a ,
d e s e rted world and their o wn horn s crumb l ing from age ;

,
th e re too the golden deer a s if it had been incited by the

, , ,
rest o f the forest deer slain in the cea seless chase deceived ,
S i t a and led the son o f Raghu far astray ; there t o o in

, , ,
their grief for the bitter l oss o f Si t fi R a ma and L aksh m an a ,
seized by K ab an dh a like an ec l ipse of sun and moon ,
heralding the death o f B a va ri a fi lle d the universe with a ,
mighty dread ; ( 4 6) there too the arm o f Yo j an ab ah u , , ,
struck o ff by R ama s arrow caused fear in the saints a s it

’
lay o n the ground l est it should be the serpent form o f

,
N ah u sh a brought back by Agastya s curse ; there even

’
, ,
now foresters behold S i t a painted inside the h ut b y her

,
husband to solace his bereavement a s if she were again ,
rising from the ground in her longing to see her husband s ’
home .
Not far from that hermitage of Agastya o f which the ,
ancient history is yet clearly to be seen is a lotus l ake ,
call e d Pamp a It stands near that h erm itage as if it

.
,
were a second ocean made by the Creator in rivalry with

Agastya at the prompting of V aruna wrathful at the
, ,
drinking o f ocean ; it is like the sky fallen o n earth to bin d

tog e th e r the frag m ents o f the eight quarters wh e n severed
in t h e day of doom 1
( 4 8 ) It is. inde e d a peerless,
home ,
o f waters and its depth and extent none can tell

, There .
,
even now the wanderer may see pairs o f c akravakas with

, ,
their wings turned to blue by the gleam o f the blo s soming

lotuse s a s if they were swallowed up by the impersonate
,
curse of R a ma .
O n the left bank o f that l ake and near a c l ump o f pa l ms ,
1
Do e s thi s re fe r to t h e re fl e c t i o n of t h e sky i n i t s c l e ar w at er
21
broken by R a ma s arrows wa s a large tree o ld calm ali

’
1
.
,
It shows a s though it were enclosed in a large trench ,
because its roots are alway s encircled by an o ld snake ,
like the trunk o f the elephants of the quarters ; ( 4 9 ) i t .
s eems to be mantle d with the slough o f serpents which ,
hangs o n its lofty trunk and waves in the wind ; it strives

t o compa s s the measurement of the circle o f s pace by its
many boughs spreadin g through the fi rm am e nt and so to ,
imitate i a whose thousand arm s are outstretched in his

,
wi l d dance at the day o f doom and who wears the moon on ,
hi s crest Through its weight of years it clin gs for support

.
,
even to the shoulder o f the wind ; it is girt with creepers

that cover its whole trunk and stand out l ike the thick ,
veins of o ld age Thorns have gathered o n its surface like

.
the moles of o ld age n o t even the thick clouds by which

it s foliage is bedewed can behold its t o p when after , ,
drinking the waters o f ocean they return from a ll s id e s t o ,
the s ky and pause for a moment weary with their load of

, ,
water like bird s amongst its bough s

,
From it s great .
2
height it se e ms to b e o n tiptoe to look at the glory of the
,
3
N an dan a Wood ; it s topmost branches are whitened by
cotton which men might mistake f or foam dropped from
,
the corners of their mouths by the s un s s teed s a s be s et ’

,
with weariness o f their path through the sky they come ,
near it in their course overhead ; ( 5 0) it has a root that

will last f o r an aeon for with the garland of drunken bee s , ,
s ticking to the ichor which clin gs t o it where the cheeks of

woodland elephants are rubbed against i t it seem s to b e ,
he l d motionless by iron chains it seems alive with s warms

o f bees fl ash i n g in and o u t of it s hollow trunk
, It beholds .
the alighting o f the wings o f birds a s Duryodhana r e ceives ,
proof s of Qakuni s parti z anship like Krishna it is e n

“ ’
5
circled by a woodland chaplet ; like a ma ss of fresh clouds
its rising is seen in the sky It is a temple whence wood .
1
l k cotto
m a li = siln t e -
re .
2
L it st i vi n g pw ds to
.
, r u ar se e .
’
3
I n d s wood ra
’
.
4
h n i = ( ) b i d ; ( 6) n m of D ur yodh an s s ppo
Q
’
a u a r a e a u rt e r .
5
O by V n m ald Kri sh n s ch p l t
r, a a/ ,
’
a
’
a e .
22
land goddesses can look o ut upon the whole world It is .
the king o f the Dandaka Wood the l eader o f t h e llo r dly ,
trees the friend o f the V indhya Mountain s and i t se e m s to

, ,
‘
embrace with the arm s of its boughs the whole V indhya

Forest There o n the edge of the boughs in t h e centre of
.
, ,
the crevice s amongst t h e twigs in the j oints o f the trunks

, , ,
in the holes o f the rotten bark fl o c ks o f parrots have tak e n ,
their abode From its spaciousness they have c o nfi de n t ly

. ,
built in it their thou s and nests ; from its steepness they ,
have come to it fearlessly from every quarter ! Though its

leaves are thin with age this lord o f the forest still looks
,
green with dense foliage a s they rest upon it day and ,
night ( 5 1 ) In it they spend the nights in their o wn nests

.
,
and daily as they rise they form lines in the sky ; they
, ,
s how in heaven like Yamun a with her wide s tream s

scatt e red by t h e tossing o f Bala s ploughshare in his ’
passion they suggest a lotus bed o f the heavenly Gange s -
fl o wi n g away uprooted by the e l ephant o f h e aven ; they

,
s how forth a sky streaked a s it were with the brightnes s , ,

’
of the steeds o i the sun s chariot they wear the semb l ance
o f a moving fl o o r o f emera l d ; they stretch out in the l ake
o f heaven like long twines o f V allisneria ; they fan the

faces of the quarters w e aried with the mass o f the sun s ’
keen rays with their wings spread against the sky like
,
plantain leaves they form a grassy path stretching through

the heaven and a s they roam they grace the fi rm am e nt
,
with a rainbow After their meal they return to the young

.
birds which stay in the nest and give them from beaks , ,
pink as tiger s claw s reddened with the blood of slain deer

’
the J u l e e o f fruits and many a dain ty morsel o f rice clusters -

,
for by their deep love to the ir children all their other

likings are subdued ; ( 52 ) then they spend the night in
this same tree with their young under their wings .
‘
Now my father who by reason o f his great age barely
,
dragged o n his life dwelt with my mother in a certain old

,
hollow and to him I was by the decree o f Fate born a s

, , ,
his only so n My mother overcome by the pain s of child

.
,
birth when I wa s born went to another world and in , , ,

23
spite of his grief for the death o f his loved wife my father , ,
from love to his child checked the keen onrush o f his ,
sorrow and devoted himself in his l one l iness wholly to my

,
nurture From his great age the wide wings he rais e d

.
,
had lost their power o f fl i gh t and hung loose from his ,
shoulder s so that when he shook them he seemed to be

,
trying to shake o ff the painful old age that clung to his

body while his few remain ing tail feather s were broken
,
like a tatter o f ku c a grass ; and yet though he wa s unable ,
to wander far he gathered up bits of fruit torn down by

,
parrots and fallen at the foot o f the tree and picked up ,
grains of rice from rice stalks that had fallen from other -
n e sts with a beak the point o f which wa s broken and the

,
e dge worn away and rubbed by breaking rice clusters and -

,
pink as the stalk of the se p h éliké flower when still hard ,
and he daily made his own mea l o n what I left .
( 5 3 ) But one day I heard a sound of th e tumult of the

chase Th e moon reddened by the glow o f dawn wa s de
.
, ,
sc e nding to t h e shore of the Western Ocean from the island ,
o f the h e avenly Ganges like an o ld ham s a with its wings ,
reddened by t h e honey of the heavenly lotus bed the circle -
o f spac e was wide n ing and wa s whit e a s the hair of a ranku

,
deer ; the throng of stars like fl o we r s strewn o n the pavement

,
of heaven were being ca st away by the sun s long rays a s if

,
’
they w e re brooms of rubies for they were red as a lion s ,

’
mane dyed in elephant s blood or pink a s sticks o f burning

’
lac ; the clust e r of the Seven Sages was a s it were de , ,
scending the bank o f the M a na sa L ake and rested on the ,
northern quarter to worship the dawn the Western Ocean

w as lifting a mass o f p e arls scattered from O pen shells o n ,
’
its shore a s though the stars melted by the sun s rays
, , ,
had fallen on i t whiten i ng the surface o f its alluvial

,
islands The wood wa s dropping dew ; its peacocks were

.
awak e ; its lions were yawning ; ( 5 4 ) its wild elephan t s

w ere wak e ned by herds of she elephants and i t with its -
, ,
boughs raised like reverential hands sent up towards the ,
sun as he r e sted o n the peak o f the E astern Mountain a

, ,
ma ss o f fl o we r s the fi lam e n t s o f which were heavy with

,
24
the night dews The lines o f sac rifi c i al smoke from the
.
hermitage s gray as the hair of an ass were gleaming like

, ,
ban n ers of holiness and rested lik e doves on the tree tops
,
-
whereon the wood nymphs dwelt The morning bree z e

-
.
was blowing and roamed softly for it was weary at the

, ,
end o f night ; it gladdened swarms o f bees by the fl o we r s ’
perfume it rained showers o f honey dew from the O pened

lotuses ; it was eager to teach the dancing creepers with
their waving bough s it carried drops of foam from the
rumination o f woodland buff alo e s it removed the p e r spi ra
tion o f the weary mountaineers ; it shook the lotuses and ,
bore with it the dewdrops The bees who ought to be the .

,
drum s on the elephant s frontal bones to recite auspicious

’
-
s ongs for the wakening o i the day l otus groves now sent -
,
up their h um from th e hearts o f the night lotuse s as their -

,
wings were clogged in the clo sing petals ; ( 5 5 ) the deer

o f the wood had the markings o n their breast gray with ,
resting on t h e salt ground and s l owly opened eyes the , ,
pupils o f which were sti l l squinting with the remains of

sleep and were caught by the coo l morning bree z e a s if
,
their eyelashes were held together by heated lac ; foresters

were hastening hither and thither ; the din of the kala
h am sas o n the Pamp a L ake sweet to t h e ear wa s now , ,
begin ning the pleasant fl ap pin g o f the wild elephant s ’
ears breaking forth caused the peacock s to dance in time

the sun him self slow l y arose and wandered among the ,
tree tops round the Pamp a Lake and haunted the mountain
-
,
peaks with rays of madder l ike a mass o f cowries bendin g

, ,
’
downwards from the sun s e l ephant as he plu n ges into the
sky ; the fresh light sprung from the sun banished the
stars falling o n the wood like the monkey king who had
,
again l ost T a r a ; the mornin g twilight became visible

1
quickly occupying the eighth part o f the day and the

, ,
’
sun s l ight became clear .
The troops o f parrot s had a ll started t o the places they

desired that tree seemed empty by reason o f the gr eat
1
T ar a = (a) wi f o f S
e u gri v a , t he mo nk y k in g ;
e ( b) st ar .
25
s til l nes s though it had al l the young parrots resting

,
quietly in their nests ( 5 6) My father was still in his own

.
nest and I a s from my youth my win gs were hardly

, ,
fl e dge d and had n o strengt h was close to him in the ,
hollow when I suddenly heard in that forest the sound o f

,
the tumu l t o f the chase It t e rri fi e d every woodland

.
’
creature ; it wa s drawn out by a s ound of birds wings
fl yin g hasti l y u p ; it was mingled with cries from the
frightened young elephants it wa s increased by the hum
o f drunken bees disturbed o n the shaken creepers ; it wa s
,
l oud with the noi s e of wild boars r o am i n g with rais e d r
snouts ; it was swollen by the roar o f lion s wakened from

their sleep in mountain caves ; it s eemed to shake the
trees and wa s great a s the noise o f the torrent s o f Gang e s
, ,
when brought down by B h agi rat h a ; and the woodland

nymphs listened to it in terror .
When I h e ard this strange s ound I began to trembl e in

my childishness the cavity o f my ear wa s almo s t brok e n
I shook for fear and thinking that my father who was
, ,
close b y could help me I crept within his win gs l oo s en e d

, , ,
as they were by age .
Straightway I heard an outcry o f Hence comes the

scent o f the lotus b e ds the leaders o f the elephants have
trampled ! Hence the perfume o f rushes the boars have
chewed ! Hence the ke e n fragrance o f gum olibanum the -
young e l ephants have divided Hence the rust l ing o f dry

leave s shaken down ( )
5 7 Hence the dust o f an t h e ap s that
the horns o f wild bu ffaloes have cleft l ike thunderbolts !
Hence came a herd o f deer ! Hence a troop of wild elephants !
Hence a ban d o f wild boars ! Hence a multitude o f w ild
bu ff aloes ! Hence the shriek o f a circle o f peacocks !
Hence the murmur o f partridge s ! Hence the cry o f
ospre y s ! Hence the groan o f e l ephant s with their frontal
’
bones torn by lion s claws ’
This is a boar s path stained
with fresh mud ! This a mass of foam from the rumina
tion o f deer darkened by the j uice o f mouthfuls o f grass
,
j ust eaten This the hum o f b e e s garr u lo u s a s they cling

,
to t h e sc e nt left by the rubbing o f elephants foreheads with ’

26
ichor fl o wi n g ! That the path of the ruru deer pink with

withered leav e s bedewed with blood that has been shed .
That is a mass o f shoots o n the tre e s crushed by t h e feet of

e lephants Those are the gambols of rhinoceroses that is
the lion s track j agged with pieces of the el e phant s pearls
’ ’
,
pink with blood and engraved with a monstrous device by

,
their claws ; that is the e arth crimsoned with the blood o f

the newly born o ff spring o f the does ; that is the path like ,
a wi dow s braid darken e d with the ichor of the lord o f the

’
h e rd wand e ring at his will ! F ollow this row of yak s

straight before u s ! Quickly occupy this part o f the wood
where t h e dung o f the deer is dried ! ( 58 ) Climb the tree
top ! L ook o u t in this direction ! Listen to this sound !
Tak e the bow ! Stand in your places ! Let slip the hounds
The wood trembled at the tumult of the hosts o f men intent
o n t h e chase shouting to each other and concealed in the
hollows of the trees .
Th e n that wood wa s soon shaken o n all sides by the roar

o f lions struck by the G abara s arrows d e epened by its echo
’
rebounding from the hollows o f the mountains and strong ,
a s the sound o f a drum n e wly oil e d ; b y t h e roar from the

throats o f the el e phants that led the h e rd like the growl of ,
thunder and mixed with the ceaseless lashing of their

,
trunks as th e y came o n alone separat e d from the fright

, ,
ened herd ; by the pit e ous cry of the deer with their ,
tremulous t e rri fi e d eyes when th e b ounds suddenly tore

, ,
their limbs ; by the yell o f she e lephants length e ning in -
grief for the death o f the i r lord and lead e r a s they wandered ,
every way with ears raised ever pausing to list e n to the

,
din bereft o f th eir slain leaders and followed by th e i r

,
young ; ( 5 9 ) by the bel l owing of she rhinoceroses seekin g -
with outstretched necks the ir young on ly born a few day s ,
b efore and n o w lost in the panic ; by the outcry o f birds

,
fl y i n g from t h e tree top s and wandering in confusion ; by

-
,
t h e tramp o f herds o f deer with all the haste o f limbs made

for speed seeming to make the earth quake a s it wa s struck
,
simultaneously by their hurrying feet ; by the twang o f

bow s drawn to the ear m ingled a s they rain ed their arrows
, , ,
28
in s pired great dread ; it wa s l ike a mu l titude o f demons

portending disaster s .
6
( )1 And in the midst o f that great host o f Q abaras I
beheld the Cabara leader M a tanga by name H e wa s ye t in
,
.
early youth ; from his great hardness h e s eemed made of

1
iron ; he wa s like Ekalavya in another birth ; from his
growing beard he was like a yo u ng roya l elephant with its
,
temples encircled by its fi r st line o f ichor ; he fi lle d the wood

with beauty that s tream e d from him sombre as dark lotuses ,
l ike the waters of Yam u n zi ; he had thick locks cur l ed at

’
the ends and hanging o n his s houlders like a lion with its ,
man e stained by e lephant s ichor ; hi s brow was broad ;’
his nose wa s stern and aqui l ine ; his l eft side shone red
de n e d by the faint pink rays o f a j ewelled snake s hood
’
that wa s made the ornament for o n e o f hi s ears l ike the ,
glow of shoots that had clung to him from his restin g o n a

leafy couch ; he wa s perfumed with fragrant ichor bearing ,
the s cent o f sap t ac c h ada blossoms torn from the cheeks of

an elephant freshly slain l ike a stain of black aloes ; ( 62 )
,
he had the heat warded o ff by a swarm o f bee s like a ,
peacock feather para sol flyin g about b l inded by the scent

-
, ,
a s if they were a branch o f tam a la ; he wa s marked with

lines o f perspiration on his cheek rubbed by his hand a s ,
if Vindhya F orest being conquered by his strong arm were

, ,
timidly o fi e ri n g homag e under the gui s e o f it s slender waving

twigs and he seemed to tinge space by his eye somewhat
,
pink as if it were bloodshot and shedding a twi l ight of the

, ,
night of doom for the deer ; he had mighty arms reaching

to his knees a s if the measure o f an e l ephant s trunk had
,
’
been taken in making them and hi s shoulder s were rough ,
with s cars from keen weapon s often u s ed to make an

o fl e r i n g of blood to K a l i ; the space round his eyes wa s
bright and broad as the V indhya Mountain and with th e ,
drop s of dried deer s blood clinging o n i t and the markin g

’
o f drop s o f perspiration as if they were adorned by large

,
pear l s ii r o m an e l ephant s frontal bone mixed with gu nj a

’
fruit ; his chest wa s scarred b y c on st an t and ceaseles s ‘
1
Ek alavya ki n g of t h e N i sh ad as ki ll e d by Kri sh na
, , Mbh I 1 32 . .
, .
, .
fatigue ; he wa s clad in a silk dress red with cochineal ,
and with his strong l egs he mocked a pair o f elephants ’
’
posts stained with e l ephants ichor ; he seemed from his
causeless fi e rc e n e ss to have been marked o n his dread brow
by a frown that formed three banners a s if D u rgfi pro , ,
p i t i at e d by hi s great devotion had marked him with a ,
trident to denote that he wa s her s ervant ( 6 3) H e was .
accompanied by hounds o f every colour which were his ,
familiar friends ; they s howed their wearines s by tongues

that dry a s they were s eemed by their natura l pinkness to
, ,
drip deer s b l ood and which hung down far from tirednes s ;
’
a s their mo nth s were open they raised the corners of their

l ips and s howed their fl ashin g te e th cl e arly like a lion s ,
’
m ane caught between the teeth ; their throats were covered

with strings o f cowrie s and they were hacked by blows ,
from the large boars tusks ; though but smal l from t h eir
’
great strength they were like lions cubs with their manes ’
ungrown they were s killed in initiating the does in widow

hood ; with them came their wive s very large like lionesses , ,
coming to beg an amne s ty for the lions H e wa s surrounded .
by troops o f Qabaras of a l l kinds : s ome had sei z ed elephants ’
tusks and the long hair o f yaks som e had vessels for honey
made o f leave s clo s ely bound ; some like lions had hands , ,
fi lle d with many a pearl from the frontal bones o f e lephants ;

some like demons had pieces o f raw fl e sh ; some like
, , ,
goblin s were carrying the skins o f lions ; some like J ain

, ,
a scetic s held peacocks tail s ; s ome l ike children wore

,
’
, ,
’
2
crows feather s ; some represent e d Krishna s exp l oits by
’
1
bearing the elephants tusks they had torn o u t ( 6 4 ) some ’

,
l ike the days o f the rainy season had garments dark a s ,
clouds 3
He had his s word sheath a s a wood its rhino
.
-
,
ceros o s ; like a fresh cloud he he l d a bow bright a s

4 5
,
peacocks tai l s ; l ike the demon V aka he possessed a

’
6
,
peerle s s army ; l ik e Garuda he had torn out the teeth ,
1
O r, url c s .
2
V H ari v am ca, 8 3
. .
3
O r , wi l u th c o ds .
4
h oc os S h e -
r in er 5
O r , r ain
. bows .
E ka c a kr a = ( a ) c i ty po s s e ss e d by V ak a ; ( 6) o n e ar my
3
a , or on e
qu o i t .
30
of many large n a gas ; he was hostile to peacock s a s 1

,
B h i sh m a to C ikh an di ; like a summer day he always

2
,
3
showed a thirst f o r deer ; like a heavenly genius he was ,
impetuous in pride ; as Vyfi sa followed Yo j an agan dh é so

4 5
,
did he follow the musk deer ; like Gh at o t kac a h e wa s ,
dreadful in form ; a s the locks o f Um a were decked with

3
i moon so was h adorned with the eyes in the

’
a s e ,
peacocks tails ; a s the d e mon H i ranyakaci p u by Mah a

7 ’ 3
V ar éh a so he had his breast torn by the teeth o f a great

,
boar ( 6 5 ) like an ambitious man h e had a train of captives

9
,
around him ; like a demon he loved the hunters ; like the

10
,
gamut of song he was closed in by N i sh é das ; l ike the

,
11
trident of Durga he wa s wet with the blood o f bu ffaloes ;

,
though quit e young h e had se e n many l ives pas s ; though 12

,
he had many hounds h e lived o n roots and fruits though

13
,
14
o f Krishna s hue he was n o t good to look o n ; though he
’
wandered at will his mountain fort was his only refuge

15
,
though he always lived at the foot o f a lord o f earth he 13

,
wa s unskilled in the service o f a king .
H e wa s as the child o f the V in dhya Mountains the

‘
,
partial avatar o f death ; the born brother o f wickedness ,
the essence o f the Iron Age ; horrible a s he was he yet ,
inspired awe by rea son of his natural greatness and his 17

,
13
form cou l d not be surpa ssed His name I afterwards .
l earnt In my mind was this th ought : Ah the life o f

.
“
,
1
N aga = ( a e l e an ; ( b) na e ph t s k .
2
O r , Qikh an di , a so n o f D r u p ad a, a r i e n t h e P é md avas f d of ‘
3 m g
O r, ira e .
4
g M s k
O r , e a e r f or t h e good
an a a l a e T h e V i dy adh ara w as a
. or
v g
e il s tt d g
eniu gods
a e n in the M V K ullfik a o n . an u , X 11 , 4 7
. . .
5
moth of
Yo j an agan dh a, er V yé sa ,
3 b
O r, g fo m of Bh m
e ari n t he r Bh m s i a
’
H e w as i a
’
. so n . V
Mbh , I.
, 155 . .
7 C sc t moo of
( a) r e e n y s of p cocks t s
n i a ( 6) e e ea
’
ai l .
3 H i r an ak a i u
y cp V H ar i v a nl
. c a , 2 2
. 5 .
9
O r , an a mb t o s s o d d by b ds to s g
i i u m an urr u n e p s ar ( in h i s rai s e ) .
13
O r, l in ov g b ood
l .
11
N i sh ad a s = ( a ) mo t s h gh st ot of
u n ai n e e r
( b )sct h e i e n e t h e al e .
12
( a ) H ad a e p ss d m y g s
an a e k d m y b ds
( 6 ) h ad i ll e an i r .
13
O r , re a g t w th
e al B ck 14
la
. D g 15
O r, ur i
. .
13
O r, mo t
u n ai n .
17
( a) M g
a n an i
‘
m ty
i g t st gth
; ( 6) re a re n .
13
A n a b hi b h a van i ya
°
.
1
these men is full o f folly and their car e e r is blam e d by the

,
good ( 66) F o r their o n e religion is o ff ering human fl e sh

.
to D urgé ; their meat mead and so forth is a m e al loath e d

, , ,
by the good ; their exercise is the chase ; their c astra is 1
the cry o i the j ackal ; their teachers o f good and evil are
.
owls ; their knowledge is skill in birds ; their bosom

2 3
friends are dogs ; their kingdom is in deserted woods ;

th e ir feast is a drinking bout ; their friends are the bows
that work their cruel deeds and arrows with their heads , ,
smeared l ike snakes with poison are their helpers ; their

, , ,
song is what draws o n bewild e red de e r ; their wives are

the wives o f others tak e n captive ; their dwelling i s with
savage tigers ; their worship of the gods is with the blood
o f beasts their sac rifi c e with fl e sh their live lihood by
, ,
’
theft ; the snakes hood is their ornament their cosmetic ,
elephants ichor ; and the very wood wherein th e y may

’
dwell is utterly destroyed root and branch ” .
As I was th us thinking the Qab ar a l eader desiring to , ,
rest after his wandering through the forest approached , ,
and laying his bow in the shade beneath that very cotton
,
tree sat down o n a seat of twigs gathered hastily by his

,
suite ( 67 ) Another youthful Qabara coming down hastily

.
, ,
brought to him from the l ake when he had stirred it s ,
waters with his hand some water aromatic with lotus ,
pollen and freshly plucked bright lotus fi b re s with their

,
- -
mud washed o ff ; the water wa s like liquid lapis laz uli o r ,
showed a s if it were painted with a piece o f sky fa llen

from the heat o f the s un s rays in the day o f doom o r ha d
’
,
’
dropped from the moon s orb o r were a mass o f melted pearl , ,
o r as if in its great purity it wa s frozen into i c e and could ,
only be distinguished from it by touch After drinking i t the .

,
ab ar a in turn devoured the lotu s fib r e s a s Rfih u does the

Q -
,
moon s digit s ; when h e wa s rested he rose and followed

’
, ,
by all his host who had sat i sfi e d their thirst he went

, ,
slow ly to his desired goal B ut one o ld (; abara from that .
barbarous troop had got no deer s fl e sh and with a ’
, ,
1
( a ) Aw ak e ni n g c ry ( b ) mor al law .
2
Owl s ar e su ppos e d to b e de sc e n d an ts o f t he s ag e V i cvam it ra .
3
A s om e n s .
32
demoni ac e x pression coming into his face in his de s ire

1
for meat he l ingered a short time by that tree ( 68 ) A s

, .
soon as the Qab ara l eader had vanished that o l d Qabara , ,
with eyes pink a s drops o f blood and terrible with their

overhangin g tawny brows drank in a s it were o ur lives ; , , ,
’
he seemed to reckon up the number in the parrots nests
like a falcon eager t o taste bird s fl e sh and looked up the ’
,
tr e e from its foot wishing to climb i t The parrots s e emed

,
.
t o have drawn their last breath at that very moment in

th e ir terror at the sight o f him F o r what is hard for the .
pitiless 2 S o he climbed the tree easily and without eff ort

‘
,
as if by l adders though it wa s a s high a s many palms and

, ,
t h e tops of its boughs swept the clouds and plucked the ,
young parrots from among it s bough s one by o n e as if they ,
were its fruit for some were not yet strong for fl i gh t ; some
,
w er e only a few da y s o l d and were pink with the down o f ,
their birth so that they might almost be taken for cotton

,
fi o we r s ; some with their wings j ust sproutin g were like

2
, ,
fresh lotus leave s ; some were like the Asc l epias fruit ;
-
some with their beaks growing red ha d the grace o f

, ,
l otus bud s with their heads rising pink from s l owly un

-
folding leaves ; while some under the guise of the cease ,
l ess motion o f their heads seemed to try to forbid him , ,
though they could not stop him for he slew them and cast ,
them on the ground .
( 6 9 ) B ut my father seeing o n a sudden this great de

‘
, ,
structive remediless overwhe lming calamity that had come

, ,
o n u s tremb l ed doubly
, and with pupi l s quivering and , ,
wandering from fear o f death cast a l l roun d a glance that ,
grief had made vacant and tears had dimmed ; his pa l ate
was dry and he could not help himself but he covered me
, ,
with his wing though its j oints were re l axed by fear and
, ,
bethought himself o f what help could avail at such a

moment S wayed who l ly by l ove bewildered how to s ave
.
,
me and puz zled what to do he stood holding me to hi s

,
‘
, ,
breast That miscreant however wandering among the

.
, ,
1
P i gi t ci ga/n a , a de mo n o acco di n g to t h e comm en t a y h ere
, r, r r , a t ig e r.
2 L it , .
‘
c
r e a in t g dou bt o i a .
’
33
boughs came to the entrance of the hollow and stretched

, ,
o u t his left arm dreadfu l as the body of an o ld black

,
snake with its hand redolent of the raw fat of many boars
, ,
and its forearm marked with wea l s from ceaseless drawing

of the bowstrings like the wan d of death ; and though my
,
father gave many a b l ow with his beak and moa n ed ,
piteously that murderous wretch dragged him down and

,
s l ew him ( 70 ) Me however he somehow did n o t notice

.
, , ,
though I wa s within the win gs from my being smal l and ,
cur l ed into a ba ll from fear and from my not having ,
lived my fated life but he wrung my father s neck and ,

’
threw him dead u pon the ground Meanwhi l e I with my .

,
neck between my father s feet clin ging quietly to his ’
breast fel l with him and from my having some fated life
, , ,
yet to live I found that I had fallen o n a large mass o f dry

,
leaves heaped together by the wind so that my l imbs were

, ,
n o t broken While the Qab ara was getting down fro m the
.
tr e e t o p I left my father like a heart l ess wretch though I

-
, , ,
should have died with him ; but from m y extreme youth , ,
I knew no t the l ove that belongs to a later age and w as ,
wholly s wayed by the fear that dwells in u s from birth ; I

could hardly be seen from the likeness o f my colour to the
fallen leaves I tottered along with the help o f my win gs ,
which were j ust beginning to grow thinking that I had ,
escaped from the j aws of death and came to the foot of a ,
very l arge tam ala tree close b y Its shoots were fi t t e d to .
be the earrings o f Qab ara women a s if it mocked the beauty ,

’
of V ishnu s body by the c olour o f Ba l ar a ma s dark blue
’
-
robe ( 7 1 ) or as if it were clad in pure strips o f the water

,
o f Yamun a ; its twigs were watered by the ichor o f wild .
e lephants it bore the beauty of the tresses o f the V indhya

Forest ; the space between its boughs wa s dark even by
1
day ; the ground round its root wa s hollow and unpierced ,
by the sun s rays ; and I entered it as if it w e re the bosom

’
of my noble father Then the Cabara came down and .
1
Cf . E m e r son s E ss ay’
on E xp e r i e n c e : S l e e l in p g s ll o l i f e
er a ur
t i m abo t
e u ou r e y s e , as n i ght hov s er all d ay i n t h e bo ghs of t h fi
u e r
t e]
re
4
gathered up the tiny parrots scattered o n the ground he

bound them hastily i n a bask e t o f leaves with a coi l o f
creeper s and going o ff with hasty ste ps b y t h e path
, ‘
trodden by his l e ader he made for that region I mean ,

.
whi l e had b e gun to hope for life but my heart was dried ,
up with grief for my father s recent death ; my body was in ’
pain from my long fall and I wa s possessed by a Violent ,
t hirst caused by fright which tortured a l l my l imbs

, ,
Then .
I thought The Villain has now gone some way

,
so I ,
lifted my head a little and ga zed aroun d with eyes trem a

lous with fear thinking even when a blade o f gra ss mov e d
,
t hat the wretch was co m ing back I watched him go step .
by step and then leaving the root of the tam ala tr e e I

, , ,
m ade a gr e at e ff ort to creep n e ar the water ( ) My steps

7 2 .
were feeble because my wings were n o t yet grown and

, ,
again and again I fell o n my face ; I supported myself on

1
o n e wing ; I wa s weak with the weariness of creeping along
the ground and from my want of practice after each step

,
I always lifted my head an d panted hard and as I crept ,
along I becam e gray with dust Truly even in the .
”
hardest trials I re fl e c t e d l iving creature s never become
, ,
c areless o f life Nothing in this worl d is dearer to a l l

.
c reated bei n gs than life seeing that when my honoured ,
father of well chosen name is dead I still live with senses

,
-
, ,
u nimpaired ! Shame o n me that I should be so pitiless ,
c ru e l and ungrateful
,
F or my life goes o n shamefully in
that the gri e f o f my father s death is so easi ly borne I ’
.
regard no kindnes s truly my heart is vile ! I have even

forgotten h o w when my moth er died my father restrained
, ,
his bitter gri e f and from the day o f my birth o ld as he

, ,
w as reckoned lightly in his deep love the great t oil o f

,
bringing me up with every car e And yet in a moment I .
h ave forgotten how I wa s watched over by him ( )

7 3 Most
v ile is this breath o f min e which goes not straightway forth
to fol l ow my father o n his path my father that was s o , ,
good to me ! Surely th ere i s no n e that thirst o f life does

n o t harden if the longing for water can make me take
,
1
R ad Q e , r am d .
36
with a t rip u n d raka mark in ashes a s if with threefo l d 1

,
2
truth ; he laid his left hand o n a crysta l pitcher with its
neck held ever upwards as if to look at the path t o heaven ,
like a crane gazing upwards to the sky ; he wa s covered by

a black ante l ope skin hanging from his shoulders like t hic k ,
3
smoke that wa s coming o u t again after being swallowed in
thirst f o r penance with pale blue l ustre ; he wore o n his
“
,
-
left shoulder a sac ri fi c i al thread which seemed from it s ,
lightness to be fashioned from very young lotus fi b re s and -

,
wav e red in the wind a s if counting the framework o f his fl e sh

less ribs ; he held in his right hand an ash adh a staff h aving
5
,
o n its t 0 p a l eafy basket full o f creeper b l ossoms gathered -
for the worship o f i a ; he wa s fo ll owed by a deer from

the hermitage still bearin g the c l ay of the bathing place
,
-
dug up by its horn s quite at home with the hermi t s fed o n , ,
mouthfuls of rice and l etting its eyes wander on all sides ,
to the ku c a gra ss fl o we rs and creepers Like a tree he wa s .

,
covered with soft bark ; l ike a mountain h e was surrounded

3
,
7 3
by a gird l e ; l ike R a hu he had often ta sted Soma ; like a ,
day lotus bed he drank the sun s rays ; ( 7 6 ) like a tree by

-
,
’
the river s side his tangled locks w e re pure with ceaseless

’
wa shing ; l ike a young e lephant his teeth were white a s 3

,
pieces of moon l otus petals ; l ike B rauni he had Kripa

-
10
,
ever with h i m ; l ike the z odiac he wa s adorned by having ,
11
the hide o f the dappled deer ; like a summer day he wa s ,
free from darkness ; like t h e rainy season h e h ad allayed

12
,
13
the blinding dust o f pa ssion ; like V aruna he dwelt on the ,
Th e ho i z on t l li n s
1
re r a e .
T th i n tho ght wo d
2
ru u , r , an d d d ee .
3
R ad
N i shp a t a t a
e , .
4
N i l p an d mott l d b l
a
‘
i l, e ue an d wh t i e Th e Hin u
. e n an d p c e is
to b b e tw n fi fi
e fo
ee ve re s u r o n e ar th an d t h e su n a e V bov . . M an u ,
vi . 23 .
5
The s i gn of o w a v .
3
( )
a B k g
ar m n t ; ( ) b k of t
b ar e s ar re e .
7
(a) G i dlre V M n . i i 4 2 ( b )
. mo un t i n
a s l op u, . a e .
3
O t h e moo n
r, O wi th
.
3
r, .
13
( )
a K m p a —comp'
s s iro n ( ) K i p w t h e t e ach of A cv at t h fim
b a r a as er a,
or D r au n i .
11
O r , V ir go C v s t h Pl i ds
, er u , e e a an d D co ra .
12
( ) H avi n g twil i ght d n k p
a ru u ( 6) h v i n g m n y f u l ts
a a a e r adi c ted a .
13
R j =
a as
( ) d st ; ( )
ba p ss i o n u a .
37
1
w aters ; like Krishna he had banished the fear o f hell ; ,
2
l ike the begin nin g o f twilight he had eyes tawny as the ,
3
glow o f dawn ; like early morn he wa s gilded with fresh ,
sunlight l ike the chariot of the sun he was controlled in ,
his course ; like a good king he brought to nought the

4
,
secret guiles o f the foe ; ( 7 7 ) like the ocean his temples were
5
,
cavernous with meditation ; like B h agi rat h a he had often

3
,
7
beheld the descent o f Ganges ; l ike a bee he had often ,
ta sted life in a water engirt wood ; though a woodsman

3
’
-
,
9
he yet entered a great home ; though unrestrained he ,
10
longed for release ; though intent on works of peace he ,
11 12
bore the ro d ; though asleep he was yet awake ; though ,
13
with two w e ll placed eyes he had his sinister eye abo l ished
-
,
.
Such was he who approached the lotus l ake to bathe -

.
Now the mind of the good is ever wont to be com

‘
passionate and kind instinctively Wherefore h e seeing .

,
my plight wa s fi lle d with pity and said to another young

, ,
ascetic standin g near : ( 7 8 ) This little half fl e dge d parrot -
ha s somehow fallen from the top o f that tree o r perhap s ,
from a hawk s mouth F o r owing to his long fal l he has

’
.
, ,
hardly any life left ; his eyes are clo sed and he ever falls ,
o n his face and pants violently and open s his beak nor , ,
can he hold up his neck Come then take him before hi s .

, ,
breath deserts him Carry him to the water ” So saying . .

,
1
o m c o vow
I n p e r f r an e f a V M an u , v i 2 3 . . . .
2
Or, of d mo
t he e k s
n N ar a a , l ai n by K shri na H ariv am ca, 1 2 2
’
. .
3
O r , h ad st s t w y
ar a n j ct o of ght
at t h e u n i n ni an d d ay .
4
o g p ss o s st t
L i t , ( a ) H l din all h i s a i n i n fi r m r e r ai n ; ( 6) a in
. h v g the
x o
a le wh s
f i t s e e l fi rm .
5
Li t , ( a ) H e h ad a
. body w st d by s c t p o m c of p
a e e re erf r an e c
e n an e
b o ght to o ght
( 6) h e r u n u t h e ene ie m s p ’
l an sof b tt by s c t co s
a le e re un e l
an dby h i s army .
3
h v g c v s w th h poo
O r, a i n a e i W i rl c c s o sh s ob q
l s an d t h e ir l e f e ll li u e .
7
q ys
O r, ua .
3
P h ps p c o g m g
( a ) e r a P u shkara , t h e l a e f p i l ri a e i n A j m e re ( b ) l u s ot
g ov e
r .
9
( ) H av i n g e nat n c i n to g t h ll
ras ( )
6 b e i n g bso b d
e n B ahm re a a a r e i r a .
13
O s lv ti on
r, a a .
11
O i n fl i c t d p n i shm n t ; o
r, e tho gh i nt n t n t h e sam a v e d h
u e r, u e o a, e
w as y t d ndi ; i
e a a n sc t i c who d spi s s i t l
. c .
, a a e e e r ua .
12
H vi n g b a t i f l m tt d l ocks
a e u u a e .
( ) H v i n g n o l ft y e ; ( 6) h vin g n o c ook d gl n c s
13
a a e e a r e a e .
38
he had me taken to the edge o f the lake ; and coming ,
there he laid down his sta ff and pitcher near the water
, ,
and taking me himself j ust when I had given u p al l e ff ort

, , ,
he lifted up my h e ad and with his fi n ge r made m e drink a

,
few drops o f water ; and when I had been sprinkled with

water and had gained fresh breath h e placed me in the ,
coo l wet s h ade of a fresh l otus le ai growing on the bank -

,
and went through the wonted rites of bathing After that .

,
he p uri fi e d himself by often holding his breath and ,
murmuring the cleansing agh am ar sh an a and then h e

1
,
arose and with upraised face made an o ff ering to the sun

, ,
with freshly pluck e d red l otuses in a cup o f lotus leaves

- -
.
Having taken a pure whit e robe so that he was like the ,

’
glow of evening sunlight accompanied by the moon s
radiance he rubbed his hair with his hands t i ll it shone
, ,
and ( 7 9 ) followed by the band o f a scetic youths with their

, ,
hair yet wet from recent bathing h e took me and went ,
slowly towards the penance grove .
And after going but a short way I beheld the penance ,
grove hidden in thick woods rich in fl o we r s and fruit

, .
( )
8 0 Its precincts were fi lle d by munis entering o n all
sides followed by pupils m urmurin g the V edas and bearing
, ,
fuel ku c a gra ss fl o we r s and earth There the sound of

, , , .
the fi llin g of the pitchers was eager l y heard by the pea

cocks ; there app e ared a s it were a bridge to heaven und e r
, ,
the guise o f smoke waving to exalt to the gods the muni

rac e w h ile yet in the body by fi re s sat i sfi e d with t h e cease
less off ering o f ghee ; all round were tanks with their wave s
traversed by lines o f sun beams stainless as though from
contact with the hermits they rested upo n plunged into ,
by the circle of the Seven Rishis who had come t o see

their penance and lifting by night an open moon l otus bed
,
- -
,
l ike a cluster o f constellations descending to honour the

rishis ; the her m itage received homage from woodland
creeper s with their tops bent by the wind and from trees ,
with their ever falling blossoms and wa s worshipped by

-
,
trees with the afi j ali of interlaced bough s ; parched grain

1
R V . .
, X . 19 0 .
39
wa s scattered in the yards round the huts and the frui t o f ,
the myrobalan l aval i j uj ube banana bread tree mango

, , , ,
-
, ,
1
panasa and palm press e d o n each other ; ( 8 1 ) the youn g
,
Brahmans were eloquent in recitin g the V edas ; the parrot

race wa s garru l ous with the prayer o f oblation tha t they
learnt by hearing it incessantly ; the subrahmany a was 2
recited by many a maina ; the bal l s of rice o ff ered to t h e

deiti e s were devoured by t h e co oks o f the forest and t h e ,
off ering o f wild rice was eaten by the young kalah am sas o f
the tanks close b y The eating places o f the sages wer e
.
-
protected from pollution by a shes cast round them ( 8 2 ) Th e .
fi r e for the munis homa sac ri fi c e was fanned by the tai l s o f

’
their friends the peacocks ; the sweet scent of the oblatio n

prepared with nectar the fragrance of t h e half cooked
,
-
sac r i fi c i al cake wa s spread around the crackling o f fl am e s

in the off ering of a stream o f unbrok e n libations m ade
the place resonant ; a host o f guests was waited upon ; t h e
Pitris were honoured ; V ishnu i a and Brahm a were , ,
worshipped The performance of cr ad d h a rites wa s taught ;

.
the science of sac ri fi c e explained ; t h e c a stra s of right

conduct examined ; good books o f every kind recited ; and
the meaning of the c a stra s pondered Leafy huts were .
being begun ; courts smeared with paste and the inside o f ,
the huts scrubbed Meditation was being fi r m ly grasped

.
,
mantra s duly carried out yoga practised and o fi e ri n gs made

, ,
to woodland deities Brahmanica l girdles o f m u fi j a grass

.
were being made bark garments wa shed fuel brought deer

, , ,
skins decked gra ss gath e red lotus seed dried rosaries strung
, ,
-
, ,
3
and bamboos laid in order f o r future need Wandering .
ascetics receiv e d hospitality and pitchers were fi lle d ,

.
( )
8 4 T h e re d e fi le m e n t is found in the smoke o f the ob l a
tions n o t in evil conduct ; redness o f face in parrots not
, ,
i n angry men sharpness in blades o f grass not in disposi ,
4
tions ; w avering in plantain l eaves not in minds red ey e s -
,
i n cuckoos alone ; clasping of necks with pitchers only ;

1
An oth e r k i n d of b r e ad t r e e -
.
Th e Co m m e n t ar y e xp l ai n s i t d ’
2
as
‘
Ve a .
3
T h e t r i d an d ak a o r th ree st v s of
a e t h e m en i d c t B hm n whoan ra a
h as sg d
re i n e t h e W rl o d .
4
O r, i mp ss i o n d gl n c s
a e a e .
40
1
binding of g i rd l es in vows not i n quarrels ; p a kshap at a in ,
cocks n o t in sc ie n t ifi c discus sion s ; wandering in making

,
the s unwise turn round the soma fi re but not error in the ,
c a stra s ; mention o f the V as a s in legends but n o t lo n gin g

'
for wealth ; counting o f beads for Rudra but no account made ,
o f the body ; l oss o f locks by the saints in the practice o f
sac rifi c e but n o t loss of their chi l dren by death ; p r o p i t i a

2
,
3
tion of R a ma by reciting the R a m ayana n o t of women by ,
youth ; wrinkles brought o n by old age n o t by pride of ,
riches the death of a Qaku n i in the Mah a bh a rata on l y

4
5
only in the Pur a na windy talk ; in old age only loss o f
7
teeth ; coldness only in the park sandal trees ; ( 8 5 ) i n
3 -
.
fi re s only turning to ashes ; only deer love to hear song

3 °
only peacocks care for dancing only snakes wear hoods

1o
only monkeys desire fruit ; only roots have a downward
tenden cy .
( 8 5 -
8 9 condensed
, ) There beneath the shade
, o f a red
aco ka tree beauteous with new oblations o f fl o we r s p u r ifi e d
-
, ,
with ointmen t of fresh go m aya garlanded with ku c a gra ss ,
and strips o f bark tied o n by the hermitage maiden s I saw ,
the holy J ab a li surrounded by most ascetic sages l ike time ,
by ae on s the la st day by suns the sac rifi c e by bearers o f

, ,
the three fi re s the golden mountain by the noble hi l ls o r

11
, ,
the earth by the ocean s .
( 8 9 ) An d a s I looked o n him I thought :

‘
Ah ! how “
great is the power o f penance His form calm a s it is y et , ,
pure a s molt e n gold overpowers like lightning t h e bright

, , ,
ness of the eye with its brilliance Though ever tranquil .

,
it inspires fear at fi r st approach by its i nh e rent maj e sty .
The splendour o f even those ascetics wh o have practised

but littl e a sceticism is wont to be ea sily provoked like fi r e ,
swiftly falling on dry reeds k a c a grass o r fl o we r s ( 9 0 ) How , ,

.
much more then that o f holy men like these whose feet
, , ,
1
( a ) Mo u l t in g ; ( b) p ar t i s an sh i p .
2 B
ala = ( a ) h ai r ; ( 6 ) ch i l d e n 3
r R am a wom an
.
, .
a kwn i = ( a ) a b i r d ; D yod s c l
Q
4
( 6 ) h
’
u r an a u n e .
5
V ayw z ( a ) i n ; ( b) r e a w d b
3
( a ) th
e e .
; T th ( b) B hm n s
ra a .
7
O r, u ldn ss
e .
3 O r , e e in r e ri s k g p osp ty .
2
s k j oym t
O r, e e e n en
10
. Or r un e good fo t .
11
T h e G zi rh ap at y a , D ak sh i n a , an d A h av an i y a fi r e s .
41
ar e honoured by the whole wor l d whose stains are worn ,
away by penance wh o l ook with divine insight on the ,
whole earth as if it were a m yro b alan in the h and and

l
,
who purge away al l sin F or even t h e mention o f a great .
sage has its reward much more then the sigh t o f him ! , ,
Happy is the hermitage where dwells this king o f Brahman s !

Nay rather happy is the whol e world in bei ng trodden by
, ,
him who is the very Brahm a of earth ! Tru ly these sages

e nj oy the reward o f their good deeds in that they attend
him day and night with no other duty hearing holy stories ,
an d ever fi xi n g o n him their steady gaze a s if he were ,
another Brahm a Happy is Sarasvat i who encircled by

.
, ,
hi s shining t e eth and ever enj oying the nearness o f his

,
lotus mouth dwells in his ser e ne m ind with its unfathom

-
, ,
a b l e depths an d its full stream o f tenderness lik e a hamsa ,
o n the M a nasa lake The four V e da s that have long d w e lt

.
,
in the fo ur lotus mouths of Brahm a fi n d here th e ir best

-
,
an d most fi t t i n g home ( 9 1 ) All the sciences which he .

,
came turbid in the rainy season o f the Iron Age becom e ,
pur e when they reach him a s rivers coming to autumn ,

.
O i a sur e ty holy Dharma having taken up his abode

, ,
here aft e r quelling the riot of the Iron Age no longer car e s ,
to recall the Golden Age Heaven seeing earth trodd e n .

,
by him no longer tak e s pride in being dwelt in by the

,
Seven Rishis How bo l d is o l d age which fears not to

.
,
fal l on his thick matted locks moonbeam pale a s they ,

-
a r e and hard to gaz e o n a s the rays of the sun of doom

2
.
,
For it falls on him a s Ganges white with flecks o f foam , ,

l
on
i a or a s an
, o ff ering o f milk o n Agni E ven the su n s .
rays keep far from the pen ance grove as if t e rri fi e d by -

,
the greatness o f the saint whose hermitage is darkened by

the thick smoke o f many an oblation These fi re s too .
, ,
for love of h i m receive oblations p ur ifi e d by hymns for

, ,
their fl am e s are pressed together by the wind like hands ,
reverently raised ( 9 2 ) The wind itself approaches him

.
1
P ov b i l ph s f c l n e ss
r er a ra e or e ar .
2
V i sh P an i h 3 T h s v
nu ur a, V .
, c .
, e e en so l ar r a ys dil t to s e v a e en
su n s nd t t h th wo l ds n fi ’
, a se e re e r o re .
42
timidly j ust stirring the l inen an d bark dresses fragrant

, ,
with the sweet creep er blossoms o f the hermitage an d ,
gentle ln motion Yet the glorious might o f the elements

.
is wont to be beyond o u r resistance B ut this man towers

1
above the mightiest ! The earth shines a s if with two
suns being trodden by this noble man In his support
,
.
the world stands fi rm H e is the stream of sympathy the

.
,
bridg e over the ocean o f tran sient e xistenc e and the h ome ,
o f t h e waters of patience ; t h e axe for the glades of the
creepers o f desire the ocean o f the nectar o f content t h e

, ,
guide in the path of perfection the mountain behind which ,
2
s e ts the planet o f ill the root of the tree o f endurance the
, ,
nave of the whee l of wisdom the staff o f the banner o f ,
righteousness the holy place for the descent of all know

,
le dge the submarine fi re of the ocean of craving the touch

, ,
ston e o f t h e j ewels of the c a stras the consuming fl am e o f ,
the buds of passion the charm against the snake of wrath

, ,
the sun to dispel the darkness of delusion the binder of ,

’
the bolts of hell s gates th e native home of noble deeds , ,
the temple o f propitious rites the forbidden ground for the ,
degradation o f passion the sign post to the path s of good ,

-
,
the birthplace of holiness the f e lly o f the wheel of e ff ort , ,
the abode of strength the foe of the Iron Age the treasury
, ,
o f penance the friend of truth the n ative soil of sincerity

, , ,
the source o f the heaping up o f merit the closed gate for ,
envy the foe of calamity ( 9 3 ) Truly he is one in whom

, .
disrespect can fi n d no place ; f o r he is averse from pride ,
unclaimed by meanness unen slaved by wrath and u n , ,
attracted by plea sure P urely by the grace o f this holy.
man the hermitage is free from envy and ca l m from

enmity Great is the power of a noble soul Here c e asi n g
. .
,
r
,
their con stant feud the v e ry animals are quiet and l e arn
, ,
the j oy of a hermitage life F or here a snake w e aried by .

,
the sun fearlessly enters as if into fresh gra ss into the

, , ,
peacock s tail like an interwove n grove of open lotuses

’
, ,
with its hundred beauteous eyes changing in hue a s the ,
eyes of a deer Here a young ant e lope leaving his mother

.
, ,
1
L it i s l e ad e r o i 2
O r c ap r i c e
’
. .
, .
,
44
he gazed long upon me and then lookin g again and , ,
again a s if he were beginning t o recognise me said : H e ,

”
is reaping the fruit o f his own ill conduct For by the - .
potency of penance t h e saint with div1n e i ns i ght beholds

the past presen t and future and sees the whole world a s
, , ,
tho u gh placed o n the palm o f his hand H e knows past .
births H e t e lls things yet to come H e d eclares the

. .
length o f days o f beings within his sight .
A t th e se words the whole a ssemb l age of hermits aware ,
o f his pow e r b e came curious to know what wa s my crime

, ,
and why committ e d and where and who I was in a former

, ,
birth ; and implored the saint sayin g : ( 9 6) V ouchsafe ,

“
,
sir to tell a s of what kind o f misconduct h e is reaping the

,
fruits Who was he in a former birth and how was he born

.
,
in the form o f a bird 2 H o w is he named ? Do thou satisfy

‘
o u r curiosity for thou art the fountain head o f al l marve l s

,
-
.
Thus urged by the a ssemblage the great saint replied ,
The story of this wonder is very long the day is almost ,
spent our bathing time is near while the hour for wo r

,
-
,
shipping the god s is passing Arise therefore ; let each

’
.
,
perform his duties a s i s meet In the afternoon after your .

,
mea l of roots and fruits when yo u are resting quietly I , ,
wi l l tell you the whole story from beginning to end who —

he is what he did in another birth and how he wa s born
, ,
in this world Meanwhile let h im be refreshed with food

.
,
.
H e will certainly recall a s it were the vision o f a dream

, ,
when I tell the whole story of his former birth S o saying .

,
he arose and wi t h the hermits bathed and performed their

,
other daily duties .
( 9 ) The day wa s now drawing to a close When the

‘
7 .
hermits rose from their bathing and were o ff ering a ,
sac r i fi c e the sun in the sky seemed to bear upwards b e fore

,
o u r eyes the o ff ering cast o n the ground with its unguent ,
o f red sandal wood Then his glow faded and vanished ;

-
.
1
the e fii u e n c e of his g l ory was drunk by the U sh m ap as
with faces raised and eyes fi xe d o n his o rb a s if they were ,
’
a scetics ; and he glided from the sky pin k a s a dove s foot ,
1
Vi sh nu P ur an a , i .
,
12 3 .
5
drawing i n hi s rays a s though to avoid touching the Seven

B i sh i s a s they rose His o rb with its network o f crimson
.
,
rays re fl e c t e d o n the Western Ocean was like the lotus of ,
V ishn u o n his couch o f waters pouring forth nectar ; his

beams forsaking th e sky and deserting the lotus groves
,
-
,
l ingered at eve like birds on the crest o f hill and tree the
splashes of crimson light seemed for a moment to deck the
trees with the red bark garments hung up by the ascetics .
And when the thousand rayed sun had gone to rest twi -
,
light sprang up like rosy coral from the Western Ocean .
( 9 8 ) Then the hermitage became the hom e of quiet thought ,
as the pleasant sound o f milking the sacred cows arose in

one quarter and the fresh ku c a grass was scatt e red o n the
,
a l tar o f Agni and the rice and oblations to the goddesses

,
o f space were tossed hither and thither by the hermitage
maidens And red starred e ve seemed to the hermits a s

.
-
the red eyed cow o f the hermitage roam ing about tawny
-
,
in the fa ll o f day And when the sun had vanished the

.
,
lotus bed in the grief o f bereavement seemed to perform a

-
, ,
vow in the hopes of rej oining the l ord of day for she l ifted ,
the goblets o f her buds and wore the fi n e white vesture o f

,
her h am sas and wa s girt with the sac ri fi c i al thread o f white

,
fi lam e n t s and bore a circ l e of bees a s her rosary

, And the .
starry host l eapt up and fi lle d the sky like a splash of spray ,
when the sun f e ll into the Western Ocean ; and for a brief
space the star bespangled sky shone a s though inlaid with
-
fl o we r s o ffered by the daughters of the Siddhas in honour 1
of twilight ; but in a mom e nt the whole glory of the gloam

ing vanished a s though wa shed away by the l ibations which
the hermits with faces upraised cast to w ards the sky ;
, ,
( )
9 9 and at its departure night a s sorrowing
, ,
f o r its loss ,
wor e a deeper darkness l ike a black antelope s skin a ,

— ’
blackness which darkened all save the hearts o f the

h e rmits .
L earning that the sun had gone to rest t h e lord of rays ,
ambrosial in pure severity of light array e d in the white

, ,
ness o f clear gossamer dwelling in t h e palac e of his wives

,
1
S e m i di v in e b e i n gs d w e llin g b e tw e e n t h e e arth an d t h e su n
- .
46
1
with T a r a mounted the sky which in that it was outlined
, ,
with the darkn e ss o f tam al a trees presided over by the -

,
circle o f Seven Rishis p urifi e d by the wanderings of Arun ,
dhat i surrounded by Ash adh a showing its M h la w it h its

2 3 4
‘
, ,
5
soft e yed white deer was a very hermitage of heaven
-
, .
White a s a hamsa moonlight fell o n the earth fi llin g the , ,
sea s ; falling a s Ganges from the hea d of i a from the

, ,
sky which wa s decked with the moon and inlaid with the ,
shattered potsherds o f the stars ( 1 00 ) And in the m oon .
lake white a s an opening lotus was seen t h e motionless

, ,
deer which went down in eagerness to drink the water

,
o f t h e moonbeams and was caught a s it were in the mud , , ,
o f ambrosia The lak e s o f the night lotus w e r e fond l y

.
-
visited by the moonbeam s like h am sas falling o n the , ,
ocean white a s si n d u vara fl o we r s in their fresh purity after

the rains A t that moment the globe of the moon lost all
.
t h e glow o f its rising lik e the frontal bone of the e lephant ,
A i r avat a when its red lead is washed away by p l unging

into the heav e nly stream ; and his highness the cold
shedder had gradually risen h igh in t h e sky and by his ,
light had whitened th e earth a s with lime dust ; the breezes -
o f early night were blowing slackened in their course by ,
the cold d e w aromatic with the scent o f opening moon

,
lotuses ( 1 0 1 ) and gladly welcomed by the deer who with

, , ,
eyes weighed down by the approach o f sleep and eyelashes ,
clinging together were beginning to ruminate and rest in ,
quiet .
Only half a watch o f the night wa s spent when H ari t a ,
took me after my meal and w e nt w ith the other holy hermits

t o his father who in a moonlit spot of the hermitage wa s
, , ,
sitting o n a bamboo stool g e ntly fanned by a pupil nam e d ,
J alap ad a who held a fan of antelop e skin white a s dharba

,
grass and he spake saying

,
F ather the whole a ssemblage , ,
1
T ar a= ( ) a st s ;
ar ( )
1
9 wi f of B i h sp t i c
e r a a ,
arr i e d w y by a a the
moo n .
2
( )
a Wi f of t h s g e V ci h t h
e e a a s a ( ) e
;b t h mo rn i n g st ar .
3
( )
a Co n st ll t i on ;
e st ff bo
a a rn e d
u ri n a g w vo .
4
(a) Con st ll t i on ; ( b ) oots f
e a r or t h e er i h m ts food ’
.
5
O r, co st ll t i on
n e a .
47
of hermits is in a circ l e round thee with hearts eager to ,
hear this wonder ; the little bird too has rest e d T e ll u s , , .

,
therefore what he has done wh o was h e and who will he

, , ,
be in another birth ? Th us addressed the great saint , ,
l ooking at me and seeing the hermits before him intently

,
listening slowly spake : L et the ta l e be to l d if ye care to

, ,
hear i t .
( 1 0 2 ) There is a city named U J J ayi ni the proud e st ,
g e m o f earth the very home

,
of the golden age created by ,
M ah akala creator preserver and d e stroyer of the thre e

1
, , ,
worlds and lord of P r am at h as a s a habitation meet for

, ,
himself a s it were a second earth There the sun is dai l y

, .
seen paying homage to M ah akala for his steeds vail their ,
h e ads at the charm of the s w eet chant o f the women

singing in concert in the l ofty white palace and his pennon ,
droops before him .
( 1 0 ) There darkness never falls and the nights

“
9
‘
,
bring no separation to the pairs o f c akravakas nor need

they any lamps for they pass golden as with mornin g
,
sunshine from t h e bright j e wels of women a s though the

, ,
world were o n fi r e with the fl am e o f love ( 1 1 0) There th e .
only unending life is in j e w e l led lamps t h e only wavering in ,
pear l necklaces the only variations in the sound of drum

,
and song the only disunion o f pairs in c akrav akas the

, ,
2
on l y testing of colour in gold pieces the only unsteadines s ,
3
in banners the only hatred of the sun in night lotuses the
,
-
only concealment o f metal in the sheathing o f the sword .
( 1 1 1 ) Why should I say more ? For he whose bright feet

are kiss e d by the rays of the j ewelled crests o f gods and
demons who hath the river o f heaven wandering lost in his
,
locks tawny with a wr eath of fl am e for the burning o f the

wor l d ; he the foe of A n d h aka he the holy one ; he who
hath given up his love for his home on Kail a sa ; ev e n
he whos e name is M ah akala hath there made a habitation
for himself And in this city was a king named T a r a
.
pi da H e wa s like unto the great kings Nala N ah u sh a

.
, ,
Yay at i D u n dh u m ar a Bharata B h agi r at h a and D acar at h a

, , , ,
1
i a .
2
C st
a e .
3 F ri e n ds .
by the might o f h i s arm he conquered the whol e wor l d ; he
reaped the fruits o f the three powers ; wise and resolute1
,
with an intellect unwearied in political sci e nce and a deep ,
study of the law books he made in light and glory a third

,
with the sun and moon ( 1 1 2 ) His form wa s p u rifi e d by

.
many a sac rifi c e by h i m th e ca l amities o f the whole world

were set at r e st ; to him L akshm i openly clung deserti n g ,
her l otus woods and d espisin g the happiness of h e r home in

-
the breast o f N a r ayana she the lotus hande d wh o ever j oys

,
-
,
in the contest of heroes H e wa s th e source o f truth ever

.
,
h o noured by the race of saints as the foot of V ishn u wa s o f ,
the stream o f the heavenly Ganges .
From him arose glory a s from the ocean of the moon , ,
for his brightness free from heat con sumed his foes
, ,
constant ever roamed ; stain l ess d arkened the brightne ss

, ,
of the lotus faced widows of his foe s whit e made all things
-
,
gay ( 1 1 3 ) He was the incarnation o f j ustice the very

.
,
representative o f V ishnu and the destroyer of al l the

sorrows o f his people .
( 1 1 5) When he approached the throne that blossomed

with the ray s o f many gems and wa s hung with clusters o f
pear l s like the e l ephant o f space approaching the tree of
,
desire a ll the wide quarters o f space like creepers w e ighed

, ,
down by bees bo w ed do wn before his m aj esty ; and o f him

, ,
I think even Indra wa s envious F rom him t o o pro

,
.
, ,
c e e d e d a host o f virtues like a fl o c k o f h am sa s from Mount

,
’
K r au fi c a brightening the earth s surface an d gladdening
, ,
t h e hearts of al l mankind His fame wa n dered so that the

.
,
world echoed with it throughout the ten regions making ,
fair t h e world o f gods and demons like a streak of foam o f ,
the stream o f milk tossed by Mandara ambrosia l sweet , .
His royal glory never for a moment l aid a side the shade o f
her umbrella a s though scorched by the heat o f a splen dour
,
hard to bear ( 1 1 6 ) His achievements were heard by the

.
peop l e like news of good for t une were received like the ,
teaching of a guru were valued like a good omen were

, ,
murmured l ike a hym n and were remembered lik e a sacred

,
1
I e k i n g m i n i st e r an d e n e r gy
. .
, , ,
.
49
text And while he was king though the fl igh t of the

.
,
mountains was stayed the fl i gh t of thought wa s free ; ,
su ffi xe s a l one were dependent and the people f e ared no ,
foe ; nought dared to face him but his mirror ; the pressure
o f D urg a was given to
1 ’
i a s image alone ; the bow was

only borne by the clouds ; there was no uprising save of
banners no bending save o i bows no shaft sped home save
, ,
’
the bee s o n the bamboo no enforced wandering save of the ,
images of gods in a procession no imprisonment save of ,
fl o we r s in their calyx no restraint save o f the senses ; ,
wild elephants entered t h e pale but none paled b e fore the ,
water ord e al ; t h e only sharpness was in the edge of the

-
sword the on l y endurance of the fl am e w as by a scetics ; 2
the only passing the Balance wa s by t h e stars ; the only

3
clearing of baneful waters wa s in the rising of Agastya ;

4
the only cutting short wa s o f hair and n ails ; t h e only

stained garb was o f the sky on stormy days ; the only
laying bar e was of gems and not o f s e cret counsels ; the ,
5
only mysteries were those o f religion ( 1 1 7 ) none ceased to
behold the light save slaught e r e d T a raka in the praises o f 6
Kum a ra ; non e dreaded e clipse save the sun non e pass e d

7
over the First born save t h e moon ; none heard of the -
Disobedient save in the Mah a bh arata ; none gra sped the

ro d
3
save in th e decline o f life ; none clung to a sinister
obj ect save t h e sword sheath ; no stream o f lib e rality was -
interrupted save the elephant s ichor ; no squares were ’
des e rted save those o n the dice board - .
“
That king had a minister by name Q ukan asa a
‘
, ,
Brahman whose intelligence was fi xe d o n all the a ff airs

,
of the kingdom whose mind had plunged deeply into the ,
arts and c a stras and whose strong a ff ection for the king ,
had gro w n up in him from childhood Skill e d in the .
’
precepts of political scienc e pilot o f the world s govern ,
1 O r m i sfo t u n e
,
2
A n o r d e al
r .
3
A h or d e al . .
4 a ) C l e a i ng of t h e w at e s aft e r t h e r ai n y s e aso n ; ( 5 ) o r d e al of
( r r
poi so n .
5
( ) M a g i c ; ( )
6 p ctai c of Yog ra e a .
3
( )
.
L iat t i n g o t of
. y,
s ( )
b s l
e ar ght of t h
u d mo n Ta k e e au er e e ra a
by Ka tik y r e a .
7 A st i t h S co p i o s t i l
ar n e S i z i n g of t i b t
r n
’
a .
3
e r u e .
0
ment unshaken in resolve by the greatest diffic u lt i e s he

, ,
was the castl e o f con stancy the station of st e adfastness the , ,
bridge o f bright truth the guide to all goodness th e con , ,
ductor i n conduct the ordainer of all ordered life Lik e the

,
.
serpent Qe sha enduring the weight o f the world ; like t h e

,
1
ocean full of lif e ; like J ar asan dh a shaping war an d p e ace ;
, ,
( 1 1 8 ) like C i v a at home with D arg a 2

like
,
Y u ddh i sh t h i r a ,
a dayspring o f Dharma he knew all the V eda s and ,
V e d angas and wa s the ess e nce o f t h e kingdom s prosperity

,
’
.
H e was lik e Briha spati to S u n asi ra ; lik e Q u kr a to V r i sh a

3
parvan ; like Vaci sh t h a to D acarat h a lik e V i cv am i t ra to

R ama ; like D h au m ya to A j at acat ru ; like D am an aka to
Nala . H e by the force of his knowl e dge thought that
, ,
L akshmi was not hard to win resting though sh e w e re on ,
the breast of Narayana terribl e with the scars of the ,
weapon s of the demons of hell and a strong shoulder ,
hardened by the pitil e ss pressure of Mount Mandara a s it

m oved to and fro N ear him knowledge spr e ad w ide thick
.
,
with many a tendril and showed t h e fruits gain e d from ,
conqu e red realms like a creeper n e ar a tre e ( 1 1 9 ) To him .
throughout the earth s surface mea sured by the circum ’
f e rence of t h e fo ur ocean s and fi lle d with the goings to and ,
fro of many thousands o f spies every w hisp e r o f the kings ,
wa s kn own a s tho u gh ut t e red in his o wn palace .
Now T ar api d a while ye t a child had conquered the

,
whole earth ringed by the seven D vi p as by t h e might o f his

'
arm thick a s t h e tr u nk of Indra s el e phant an d he devolved

,
’
the w e ight o f the empire o n that councillor named Q uka

n a sa and having made his subj ects perf e ctly cont e nt e d he
, ,
s e arch e d for anything e ls e that r e main e d to b e done .
“
And as h e ha d crushed his en e mies and had lost all
caus e for f e ar and a s the strain o f t h e world s a ffairs had
,
’
become a littl e relax e d for t h e most part h e b e gan to ,
pursu e the ordinary pleasures o f youth .
( 1 24) And some tim e pass e d while the king pursued

“ ‘
1
h vi n g h i body n i t d V Dowso C l ss i c l D i ct i o
O r, a s u e . . n,
‘
a a n ar y .
’
2
H v i g fo t ss s s bd d
a n r re e u ue .
Th s t ch s of t h gods n d h o s
e e ar e ea er e a er e .
52
lashes of
thine are stringing a s it were a network o f pearl s , ,
o f d r o p p i n g tears Why slender one art thou unadorned

'
.
, ,
and why ha s not the stream o f lac fallen on thy feet like
early sunlight o n rosy lotus buds ? And why are thy -
j ewelled anklets with their murmur like tea l s on the lake

,
o f love n o t graced with the touch of thy lotus feet ?

, And -
why is this waist o f thine bereft o f the music o f th e girdle

thou hast laid aside And why is there no device painted
on thy breast like the deer on the moon an d why is that
slender neck o f thine fair limbed queen not adorned with ,
-
,
a rope o f pearls a s the crescent o n i a s brow by th e ’
heavenly stream ? and why dost thou erst so gay wear , ,
in vain a face whose adornment is washed away with

fl o wi n g tears ? And why is this hand with its petal like ,
-
cluster o f soft fi n ge r s exalted into an ear j ewe l a s though

,
-
,
it w e re a rosy l otus ? ( 1 2 7 ) And why froward l ady dost , ,
thou raise thy straight brow undecked with the mark of

yellow pigment and surrounded by the mass of thine
,
unbound tr e sses 2 F or th e se fl o win g locks o f thine bereft

‘
,
o f fl o we r s grieve my ey e s
,
like the loss o f the moon in ,
the dark fortnight clouded in masses of thickest gloom

,
.
B e kind and tel l me my queen the cause of thy grief

, , ,
.
For this storm o f sigh s with which the robe on thy breast
is quive ring bows my loving heart like a ruddy tendril .
Has any wrong been done by me or by any in thy service ? ,
Closely a s I examin e myself I can truly see no f ailure of ,
mine towards th e e For my life and my kingdom are

.
wholly thine L et the cau s e o f thy wo e fair queen be

.
, ,
told .
’
But Vi lasavat i thus addressed made no reply and , , ,
turning to her attendant s h e asked the cause o f her ex ,
c e e di n g grief Then her b e tel nut bearer M akari ka who

.
-
, ,
wa s always near h e r said to t h e king : My lord how could

, ,
any fault however slight be committed by thee ? ( 12 8 ) and

, ,
how in thy presence could any o f thy followers or anyone ,
else o ff end ? The sorrow o f the que e n is that her union

,
w ith the king is fruitless a s though she were seiz ed by ,
Hahn and for a l ong tim e she ha s been su ffering

,
F o r at .
fi r st our lady wa s like o n e in heavy grief wa s only occupied ,

53
with diffi c ult y by the persuasion o f her attendants in the

ordinary duties o f the day however fi t t in g they might b e , ,
such a s sleeping bathing eating putting o n o f ornaments

, , , ,
and the like and l ike a Lakshmi o f the l ower world

, , ,
1
ceaselessly upbraided divine love But in her lon ging to .
take away the grief o f my lord s heart she did not show ’
her sad change N o w however a s it was the fourt e enth

.
, ,
day o f the month she went to worship holy M ah akala and

, ,
heard in a recitation of the Mah a bh a rata No bright ,

“
ab o des await the chi l d l ess for a son is he who delivers ,
from the sunless shades and when she heard this she ,
returned to her palace an d n o w though reverently , ,
entreated thereto by her attendants she takes no pleasure ,
in food nor does she busy herself in putting o n her j ewels

, ,
n o r does she vouchsafe to an swer u s ( 9 ) she only weeps

1 2 ,
and her face is clouded with a storm of e ver fl owing tears -

.
My lord has heard and m ust j udge S o saying s he

’
.
, ,
ceased ; and with a l ong and passionate sigh the king ,
spoke thus
My queen what can be done in a matter decreed by
,
fate E nough o f this weeping beyond mea sure F or it is

not o n u s that the gods are wont to bestow their favour s .
In truth o u r heart is n o t destined to hold the bliss o f that

,
ambrosial draught the embrace o f a child of our own In

,
.
a former life no glorious deed was done ; f o r a deed done

in a former life brin gs forth fruit in man s life on earth ; ’
even the wisest man cannot change destiny L et all be .
done that may be done in this mortal life Do more .
honour to the gurus ; redouble thy worship o f t h e gods ;

let thy good works be seen in thy reverence to the rishi s ;
for the rishis are a powerful deity and if we se rve t h e m , ‘
with all o u r might they will give boons that f ulfi l o ur

,
( F
’
heart s desire hard though it be to gain
,
1 3 0 ) o r .
the tale is an o ld o n e h o w King B r ih adrat h a in M agadh a

wo n by the power o i Can d akau ci ka a son J ar asan dh a victor
-
o f V ishnu peerless in prowess fatal to his foes

,
D acarat h a ,
.
,
too when very old received by t h e favour o f B i sh yacr in ga

, , ,
( a ) T h e gods ; ( b ) l ov e
1
.
54
so n of the great saint Vib h an d aka four sons unconquerabl e , ,
a s the arms of N a r a yana and un shaken as the d e pths o f the

,
oceans .
1
And many other roya l sag e s having conciliated ,
-
a scetics have e nj oyed the happiness of tasting the am b ro si a

,
o f the sight of a son F o r the honour paid to saints is

.
never without its reward .
And for me when shal l I b e hold my queen ready to

,
bear a child pale as the fourteenth night when the rising

,
o f the full moon is at hand ; and wh e n will her attendants ,
hardly abl e to bear the j oy o f the great festival of the birth

of my so n carry the full basket of gifts ? When will my
,
queen gladden me wearing yellow robes and holding a son ,
in her arms l ike t h e sky with the newly risen sun and the
,
-
early sunlight ; and when wil l a son give me j oy o f heart ,
w ith his cur ly hair yellow with many a p l ant a few a shes ,
mixed with mustard seed o n his palate which has a drop

-
,
of ghi o n it a s a talisman ( 1 3 1 ) and a thread bright with

,
yellow dye round his neck a s he lies o n his back and smiles
,
with a little toothles s mouth ; when will this baby destroy

a ll the darkness of sorrow in my eyes lik e an auspicious
l amp welcomed by all the people handed from o n e to ,
another by the z enana attendants shining tawny with ,
yellow dye ; and when will he adorn the courtyard as he ,
toddles round i t fol l owed by my heart and my eyes and

, ,
gray with th e dust o f the court ; and when will he walk

from o n e place to another an d the power o f motion be
formed in his knees so that like a young lion he may try
, , ,
to catch the young tame deer screened behind the crystal

walls ? and when runnin g about at will in the courtyard
, ,
will he run after t h e tame gees e accompanied by t h e ,
tink l ing of the anklets o f the z enana and weary his n urse , ,
who will ha sten after him fo l lowing the sound o f the b e l l s

,
of his golden girdle ; ( 1 3 2 ) and when will he imitate the

antics of a wild elephant an d have his cheeks adorned
,
with a line of i chor painted in black aloe full of j o y at the ,
s ound o f the bell held in his mouth gray with th e dust of ,
sandal wood scattered by his uplifted hand shaking his

-
,
1
Fo ur was t h e n u mb e r o f t h e oc e an s an d o f t h e arms o f N aray ana .
5
head at the beckoning of the hooked fi n ge r ; and when

will he disguis e the faces of the old chamb e rlains wit h the
j uice of handfuls o f lac left after being used to colour h i s
moth e r s feet ; and when with eyes restless in curiosity
’
, ,
w i l l he bend his glance on the inlaid fl o o r s and with ,
tottering steps pursue his o wn shadow ; and when w ill

he creep about during the audience in front o f me a s I
stand in my audien ce hal l with his eyes wandering b e -
,
wildered by the rays o f the gem s and have his coming ,
w e lcomed by the outstretched arms o f a thousand kings ?

Thinking on a hundred such desires I pass my nights in ,
su ffering Me too the grief arising from o u r want o f

.
, ,
children burns like a fi r e day and night The world seem s .
empty I look o n my kingdom as without fruit B ut what .
can I do towards Brahm a from whom there is no appeal 2 ,

‘
Ther e fore my queen cease thy continual grief Let thy

, ,
.
heart be devoted to endurance and to duty For in crease .
of blessings is ev e r nigh at hand for those who set their

thoughts o n duty ( 1 33 ) Thus saying with a hand like a
.
’
fresh t e ndril he took water and wiped her tear stained face
,
-
,
which show e d a s an O pe n ing lotu s and having comforted

her again and again with many a speech sw e et with a
hundred e ndearments skilled to drive away grief and full , ,
o f in struction about duty he at last left her And when ,

.
he wa s gone Vi lasavat i s sorrow wa s a little soothed and

,
’
she went about her u sual daily dutie s such a s putting on ,
of her adornments And from that time forth she was

.
more and more devoted to propitiating the gods honourin g ,
B rahman s an d payin g reverence to a l l holy person s ;

,
whatever recommendation she heard from any source she

practised in her longing for a child nor did she count the ,
fatigue howev e r great ; she slept within t h e temples o f

,
Durg a dark with smoke o f bdellium ceaselessly burnt on a

, ,
bed of clubs cover e d with green gra ss fasting her pur e , ,
form clothed in white raim e nt ; ( 1 3 4 ) she bathed unde r

cows e ndued with auspicious marks adorn e d for t h e ,
occasion by the wives o f the old cowherds in the herd

s tations with golden pitchers l aden with all sorts of j ewe l s
, ,
6
decorated with branches o f the pipal decked with divers ,
fruits and fl o we r s and fi lle d with holy water ; e very day

she would rise and give t o Brahmans golden mustard leave s -
adorned with every gem ; she stood in the midst o i -a circle

drawn by the king himself in a place wher e four roads
,
meet on the fourt e enth night o f the dark fortnight and

, ,
performed auspicious rites o f bathing in which the gods ,
o f the quarter s were gladd e ned by the various oblations
o ff ered ; she honoured the shrines o f the siddhas and

1
sought the houses o f neighbouring M at r ikas in which ,
faith was displayed by the people ; she bathed in all the

celebrated snake ponds ; with a sun wise turn she wor
- -
,
shipped the pipal and other trees to which honour wa s

wont to be shown ; after bathing with hands circled by ,
swaying bracelets she herself gave to the birds an o ffering o f

,
curds and boiled rice placed in a silver cup ; she o ff ered daily
to t h e goddess Durg a a sac rifi c e consisting o f parched grain
o f oblation boiled rice s e samum sweetmeats cakes ungu e nts
, , , , ,
incense an d fl o we r s in abundance ; ( 1 3 5 ) she besought

, , ,
with a mind prostrate in adoration the nak e d wanderin g ,
ascetics bearing the na m e o f siddhas an d carryin g their

, ,
begging bowl s fi lle d by her ; she greatly honoured the

-
direction s of fortune tellers ; she fr e quent e d all the sooth

-
sayers learned in signs she showed all respect t o those wh o

understood the omens o f birds ; she accepted all the secrets
handed do wn in the tradition o f a succession o f venerab l e
sages ; in her longing for the sight o f a so n sh e made the ,
Brahman s who came into her presence chant the V eda ;

she heard sacred stories incessantly repeated ; sh e carried
about l ittle caskets of mantras fi lle d with birch leaves -
written over in yel l ow l etter s she tied strings o f medicinal

plant s a s amulets ; even her attendants went o u t to hear
-
pa s sing s ounds and grasped the omens arising from them ;

she dai l y threw o u t lumps o f fl e sh in the evening for the
j ackals ; she told the pandit s the wonder s of her dreams ,
an d at the cro s s roads sh e o fi e r e d oblation to i a

-
.
“
And a s time went o n it chanced once that near the
,
1
T h e di v in e moth e r s o r p e r so n ifi e d e n e r gi e s of t h e ch i e f d e i t i e s
, .
57
end o f night when the sky wa s gray a s an o ld pigeon s

,
’
wing and but few stars were left t h e k ing sa w in a dream

, ,
the full moon entering the mouth o f V i lasavat i as she ,
rested on the roof of her white palace like a ball o f lotus ,
fib r e s into the mo uth o f an elephant ( 1 3 6 ) Ther e upon he .
woke and arising shedding brightness through his dwelling

, ,
by the j oyous dilation o f his eyes he straightway called ,
Q u k an a sa and told him the dream ; whereto the latter ,
fi lle d with sudden j oy replied : Sire our wishes and those

, ,
o f thy subj ects are at length f u lfi lle d ; After a few days

my lord will doubt l ess exp e rie n ce the happiness o f beholding
the lotus face o f a son for I too this night in a dream saw
-
, ,
a white rob e d Brahman o f godlike bearing and calm aspect

-
, ,
place in M an o ram a s lap a lotus that rained drops o f honey

1 ’
,
’
with a hundred outspread white petals like the moon s ,
digits and a thousand quivering stamens forming its

,
matted locks N ow all auspicious ome n s which come to

.
,
u s foret e ll the near approach of j oy ; and what other cause
o f j oy can there be than this 2 for dream s seen at the close

‘
o f night are wont to bear fruit in truth ( 1 3 7 ) Certainly .
ere long the queen shall bear a son that l ik e M an dh at ri , ,
shall be a leader among all roya l sages and a cause o f j oy ,
to all the wor l d and h e shall gladden thy h e art 0 kin g , ,
a s the l otus pool in autumn with its burst of fr e sh lotus e s

-
gladdens the royal elephant ; by him thy kingly line shall

become strong to bear the weight o f the world and shall ,
be unbrok e n in its succession a s the stream o f a wild

elephant s ichor ’
As he thus spoke the king taking him
.
’
, ,
by the hand entered the inner apartments and gla ddened

,
the queen with both their dreams And after some day s .
,
by the grace o f the gods the h O p e o f a child came t o ,
V i lasavat i like t h e moon s image o n a lake and she

’
, ,
became thereby yet more glorious like the line o f the ,
N an d an a wood with the tree of Paradise o r the breast o f ,
V ishnu with the K au st u b h a gem .
( 1 38 ) O n o n e memorable day the king had gone at

“
evening to an inner pavilion where encircled by a , ,
1 Wi f of
e u k an fi sa
Q .
58
thousand lamps burning bright with abundance of scented

,
oil he wa s li ke the full moon in the midst of stars or lik e

, ,
N a r a yana s e ated among the thousand j ewelled hoods of the

z
king of snak e s ; he wa s surrounded only by a f e w great

kings who had recei ved t h e sprinkling o f coronation ; his
own attendant s stood at some distance ; close by Qu kan fisa
was sitting on a high stool clad in whit e silk with little
, ,
adornm e nt a statesman profound a s the depth s of ocean ;

,
and with him the king wa s holding a conversation o n many

topics full of the c o n fi d e n c e that had grown with th e ir
,
growth wh e n he was approached by the handmaiden

,
K u lav ar dh an a the queen s chi e f att e ndant always skill e d

’
, ,
in t h e ways of a court well trained by nearness to royalty

, ,
and versed in all auspicious ceremonies who whispered in ,
his ear the news about Vilasav at i ( 1 3 9 ) A t her words so .

,
fresh to his ears the king s limb s were bedewed a s if with

,
’
ambrosia a thrill passed through his whol e body an d h e

, ,
was bewilder e d with t h e draught o f j oy ; his che e ks burst

into a smile ; under the guise of the bright flash of his
teeth he scatter e d abroad the happin e ss that o ve rfl o we d his
heart and his e ye with its pupil quivering and its l ashes
, , ,
wet with t e ars of gla dn e ss fell o n the face o f Qu kan asa

,
.
And when C u kan asa saw the king s exceeding j oy s uch a s ’
he had n e v e r se e n befor e and beheld the approach of

,
K u lavardh an a with a radiant smile o n her face though he ,
had not heard the tidings yet from con stantly revolving
, ,
the matter in his mind he saw no ot h er caus e b e fi t t in g the

,
time of this excess o f gladness ; ( 1 4 0 ) he saw all and ,
bringing his s e at closer to t h e king said in a low voice : ,
M y lord there is some truth in that dream ; for Kulavar

,
dhan a has her e yes radiant and thy twin ey e s announce a

,
cause of great j oy for they are dilated their pupils are

, ,
tremulous and they are bathed in tears o f j oy and a s they

, ,
seem to cr e ep to the lobes o f thy ears in their eagerness to

hear the goo d tidings they produc e a s it wer e t h e beauty
, , ,
o f an ear pendant of blue lotuses

-
My longing heart y e arns .
to hear the f e stival that ha s sprung up for i t Therefore .
l et my lord t e ll me what is this news When he had thu s .

’
60
the boy there like a young lion in a cage forbidding all

, ,
egress surrounding him with a suite composed main l y o f

,
the sons o f his tea chers removing every allurement to the ,
s ports o f boyhood and keeping his mind free from dis ,
tra ction o n an a uspicious day ( 1 5 6) he entrusted him

, ,
together with Vai cam p ay an a to masters that th e y might , ,
acquire all knowledge E very day when he rose the king .

, ,
with Vilésavat i and a small retinue went to watch him , ,
and Can d rapi d a undisturbed in mind and k e pt to his

,
work by the king quickly gra sped all t h e sciences taught

,
him by teachers whose eff orts were quickened by his great

,
powers a s they brought to light his natural abilities ; the

,
whole range of arts assembled in his mind a s in a pure

j ewelled mirror H e gained the highest skil l in word
. ,
sentence proof law an d royal policy ; in gymnastics ; in

, , ,
all kinds of weapons such a s the bow quoit shie l d , , , ,
scimitar dart mace battle axe and club ; i n driving and

, , ,
-
,
el e phant riding ; in musical instruments such a s the lute

-
, ,
fi f e drum cymbal and pipe ; in the laws o f dancing l aid

, , ,
down by Bharata and oth e rs and the science o f music , ,
such a s that of N a rada ; in the managem e nt of elephants ,
the knowl e dge o f a horse s age and the marks o f men ; in ’
painting leaf cutting the use of books and writing ; in all

,
-
, ,
the arts o f gambling knowl e dge o f the cries of birds and , ,
a stronomy ; in te sting of j ewe l s ( 1 5 7 ) carpentry t h e work , ,
ing of ivory ; in architecture physic mechanics antidotes , , , ,
mining crossing of rivers leaping and j umping and sleight

, , ,
o f hand ; in stories drama s romances poems ; in the , , ,
Mah a bh arata the Pur a nas t h e I t ih asas and the

, , ,
R am ayana in all kind s of writing all foreign languages , ,
a l l t e chnicalities all m e chanical arts ; in metre and in

, ,
every other art An d while he c e aselessly studied eve n in

.
,
his childhood an inborn vigour like that of Bhi ma shone

forth in him and stirred the world to wonder F o r when .
h e wa s b ut in play the young elephants who had attacked ,
him a s if he were a l ion s whelp had th e ir limb s bowed ’
down by hi s grasp o n their ears and could not move ; ,
with o n e stroke o f his scimitar he cut down palm trees a s -

1
ii they were lotus stalks ; his shafts lik e those of Para gu

-
-
,
r fim a when he blazed to consume the forest of earth s royal

'
stems c l eft only the loftiest peaks ; he exercis e d himself

,
with an iron club which ten men were needed to lift and ,
except in bodily strength he was fo l lowed clos e in al l hi s ,
accomplishments by V ai cam p ayan a ( 1 5 8 ) who by reason , ,
o f the honour Can drap i d a felt for his deep learning and o f ,
his reverence due to Qukan asa and because they had played ,
in the dust and grown up together wa s the prince s chief ,

’
friend and a s it were his second heart and the home of

, , , ,
al l his c o n fide n c e s H e would n o t be without Vai cam p zt yan a

'
f o r a moment while Vai cam p éy an a never for an instant

,
ceased to follow him any more than the day would cease ,
to fol l ow the sun .
And whi l e Can drap i d a wa s thus pursuing his acquaint

ance with all knowledge the spring o f youth loved o f the , ,
three worlds a s the amrita draught o f the ocean gladdening ,
the hearts o f men a s moonrise gladdens the gloaming ;

transient i n change o f iridescent glow like the full arch o f ,
Indra s bow to the rainy season ; weapon of love like the

’
outburst of fl o we rs to the tree o f desire b e autiful in ever

freshly revealed glo w l ike sunrise to the lotus grove ; ready
,
-
for a ll play of graceful motion like the plumes o f the ,
peacock became manifest and brought to fl o we r in him

, ,
fair a s he was a double beauty ; love lord of the hour

, , ,
stood ever nigh a s if to do his bidding ; his chest expanded

,
like his beauty ; his limb s won fulness like the wishes of ,
his friends his waist became slender like the host of his ,
foes ; ( 1 5 9 ) his form broadened like his liberality ; his ,
maj esty grew like his hair ; his arm s hung down more
,
’
and more like the plaits o f his enemies wives his eyes
,
became brighter like his conduct ; his shoulders broad

, ,
like his knowledge ; an d his heart deep like his voice ,

.
And so in due course the king learning that Candr a ,
p i da had grown to youth and ha d completed his knowledge ,
of all the arts studi e d all the sciences and won great praise
, ,
from his teachers summoned B aléh aka a mighty warrior

, , ,
and with a larg e escort of cavalry a n d infantry sent him

, ,
62
on a very auspicious day to fetch the prince And B alfih aka .

,
going to the palace o f learning enter e d announc e d by the , ,
porters an d bending his head till its crest j ewels rested o n

,
-
the ground sat down by the prince s permission on a seat

, ,
’
b e fi t t i n g his o ffice a s reverently a s though in the kin g s

’
presence ; after a short pause he approached Can dr api d a

and resp e ctf ully gave the king s message : Princ e the king ’
,
bids me say : Our desires are f u lfi lle d ; the c a stra s have

been studied ; all the arts have been l earnt ; thou ha st
gained the highest skill in all the martial sciences .
( 1 60 ) All thy teachers give the e permission to l e ave the

house o f learning L et the people se e that thou ha s t
.
received thy train ing like a young royal el e phant com e

,
o ut from the enclosure having in thy mind the whole ,
o r b o f t h e arts like t h e f ull moon n ewly risen L et the

,
.
eyes o f the world long eager to behold the e f u lfi l their

, ,
true j unction ; f o r all the z enana s are yearning for thy

sight This is now the tenth year o f thin e abode in the
.
school and thou didst enter it having reached the e x

,
p e r i e n c e of thy sixth year This year then so r e ckone . d , , ,
is the sixteenth of thy life N ow therefor e when thou .

, ,
ha st com e forth and shown thyself t o all the mothers

longing to see th e e and ha st saluted those who deserve
,
thy honour do thou lay a side thy early discipline and

, ,
e xperience at thy will the pleasur e s of the court and the
d e lights o f fresh youth Pay thy respects to the chiefs ; .
h onour the Brahmans ; protect thy p e ople ; gladden thy

k i n sfolk Th e r e stands a t the door sent by the king this
.
, ,
horse named I n dr ayu dh a s w ift as Garu d a or a s the wind

, , ,
the chief j ewel o f the thr e e worlds ( 1 6 1 ) for in truth the

monarch o f Persia who e steemed him the wonder o f t h e
,
universe sent him with this message : This nobl e steed

,
‘
,
S prung straight from the waters o f oc e an was found by me , ,

’
and is worthy for thee 0 king to mount ; and w hen he , ,
was shown t o those skilled in a horse s points th e y said ’
H e has all t h e marks of which men tell u s a s belongin g to

U c c ai h cravas ; th e r e nev e r has b e en nor will b e a st e e d like
him .
’
Therefore let him be honoured by thy mounting
3
him These thousand princes all sons o f anointed kin gs

.
, ,
highly trained h e roic wise and accomplished and of lo n g

-
, , , ,
descent sent for thine escort wait o n horseback all eager

,
”
, ,
to salute thee Having thus said B alzrh aka paus e d and

’
.
, ,
Can drépi d a laying his father s command o n his h e ad in a

’
, ,
voice deep a s a new cloud gave the order Let I n drayu dh a ,
be brought for he desired to mount him

,
’
.
Immediately o n his command I n dr ay u dh a was brought ,
and he beheld that wondrous steed led by two m e n o n each ,
side gra sping the circ l e o f the bit and using all their e fforts ,
to c urb him H e wa s very large his back being j ust

.
,
within reach o f a man s up l ifted hand ; he se e med to drink ’
the sky which wa s o n a level with his mouth ; with a neigh

,
which shook the cavity o f his belly and fi lle d t h e hollows ,
o f the three worlds h e a s it w e re upbraid e d Garuda for

, , ,
his vain trust in his fabled sp e e d ; ( 1 6 2 ) with a nostril

snorting in wrath at any hindrance to his co urse h e in his , ,
pride examined the three worlds that he might leap over

, ,
them ; his body wa s variegated with streaks o f black ,
yellow green and pink like Indra s bow ; h e wa s like a

, , ,
’
young e lephant with a many hued rug spread over him

,
-
like i a s bull pink with metallic dust from butting at

’
K ai lé sa s peaks ; like P a rvati s lion with his mane

’ ’
crimson e d w ith th e red streak o f the demon s clotted ’
blood and like the Very incarnation of all energy with a ,
sound emitted from his ever quivering nostrils he seemed -

,
to pour forth the wind inhaled in his swift course ; he

scattered t h e f o am fl ake s that frothed from his lip s from
-
the champing of t h e points of the bit which rattled as he

roll e d it in his mouth a s if they were mouthfuls of ambrosia
,
drunk in his ocean home ( 1 6 4 ) And beholding this st e e d

,
.
, ,
whose like was n e v e r before seen in form fi t for t h e gods , ,
meet f o r the kingdom o f the whol e universe ( 1 6 5 ) possessed ,
of all the favourable marks the perf e ction of a horse s ,

’
shape the heart o f Can dr épi d a though of a natur e n o t

, ,
easily moved wa s touched with amaz e ment and the

, ,
thought arose in his mind : What j e wel if not this ,
wondrous horse wa s brought up by t h e Suras and Asuras

,
4
when they churned the waters of ocean and whir l ed round

Mount Mandara with the serpent V asu ki revo l ving in cease
l ess gyration And what has Indra ga ined by h i s lo rd sh ip _
o f the three worlds if he did n o t mount this back broad a s ,
Mount Meru ? Surely Indra wa s cheated by the ocean

wh e n his heart was gladdened by U c c aih cravas ! And I
think that so far he ha s not crossed the sight o f holy
N ii r ay an a who even now does n o t give up his infatuation
,
for riding Garuda My fath e r s roya l glory surpasses the

.
’
riches o f the kingdom o f heaven in that treasures such a s ,
this which can hardly be gained in the whole universe

, ,
com e h e re into servitude From its m agn ifi c e n c e and .
energy this form of hi s seem s the shri n e o f a go d and

, ,
the truth o f this makes m e fear to mount him F o r forms .
l ike this fi t for the gods an d the wonder o f the universe

, ,
belong to no common horse E ven deities subj ect to a .

,
muni s curse have been known to l eave their o wn bodies

’
and inhabit other bodi e s brought to them by the term s

o f the curse ( 1 6 6 ) For there is a story of o ld how
.
St h fi laci r as a muni of great a usterity cursed an Ap saras

, ,
named Rambh a the ornam ent of the three worlds ; and

,
she leaving heaven entered the heart o f a horse and thus

, , , ,
a s the story goes dwe l t f o r a long time on earth a s a mare

, ,
in the service o f King Qat adh an van at M ri t t i kavat i ; and ,
many other great souled beings having had their glory -

,
destroyed by the curse o f munis have roamed the ,
world in various forms Surely this must b e some noble .
being subj ect to a curse ! My h e art d e clares his divinity .

’
Thus thinking he rose wish ing to mount and in mind only

, ,
approaching th e steed he prayed thus : Noble charger ,

‘
,
thou art that thou art ! All hail to thee ! Yet le t my

audacity in mount i ng thee be forgiven ! for even deities
whose pr e s e nce is unknown ta ste o f a contumely all unmeet
f o r the m
’
.
As if knowi ng his thought I n drayu dh a looked at him ,
with eye a skance the pupil turned and partly closed by the
,
lashing of his tossing mane ( 1 6 7 ) and repeatedly struck ,
the ground with his right hoof till the hair on his chest ,
65
wa s gray with the dust it ca st u p a s though summoning ,
the prince to mount with a plea sant whinnying long drawn

,
out into a gentle soft murmur blent with t h e snor t ing

of his quivering nostrils Whereupon Can drfip i d a mounted
.
I n drfiy u dh a as though invited thereunto by his p l easant

,
neighing ; and having mounted he passed o u t thinking

, , ,
the whole universe but a span long and beh e ld a cavalcade ,
o f which the furthest limits could not be seen ; it deafened
the hollows o f the thre e wor l ds with the clatter of hoofs

breakin g up the e arth fi e rc e a s a shower o f stones let fa l l
,
from the clouds and with a n e ighing sounding the fi e r c e r

,
from nostrils choked with dust ; it decked the sky with a

forest of lances al l horrent whose shafts g l eamed bright ,
when touched by the sun like a lake half hidden in a ,
grove o f blue lotus bu d s upborne on t heir stalks from its

-
darkening the eight quarters with its thousand umbrellas

al l raised it wa s like a mass of c l ouds iridesc e nt with
,
’
the full arch of Indra s bow shining o n them ; ( 1 6 8 ) while
from the horses mouth s being white with foam fl ake s cast
’
-
abroad and from the undulating lin e of their ceaseless

,
curv e tting it rose to sight like a mass of ocean billows

,
in the fl o o d o f fi n al d e struction ; all the horses were in

motion at Can drapi d a s approach a s the wave s o f ocean
’
,
’
at the moon s risin g ; and the princes each wishing to be ,
fi r st in their eagerness to pay their homage having their ,
heads unprotected by the hasty removal of their umbrel l as ,
and weary with trying to curb their horses which were wild ,
with trampling o n each other drew around t h e prince A s , .
B alfih aka presented each by name they bowed bending , ,
low th e ir heads which showed the g l ow of l oyalty under

,
the guise o f the rays uprising from the rubies in their

w aving crests and which from their having buds held
, ,
up in adoration were l ike lotuses resting on the water in

,
the pitchers o f coronation Having saluted them Can .

,
dré pi d a accompanied by Vai cam p éy an a also mounted

, , ,
straightway set o u t for the city ( 1 6 9 ) He wa s shad e d by .
a very large umbrella with a gold stick borne above him , ,
formed like the lotus o n which royal glory might dwell ,
5
66
l ike the moon s orb to the moon lotus grove o f royal races
’
-
,
like an island being form e d by the fl o w o f the cavalcade in ,
hue lik e the circle o f Vasu ki s hood whit e ned by the sea o f ’
milk garlanded with m any a rope of pearls bearing the

, ,
device o f a lion designed above The fl o we rs in his ears .
were set dancing by t h e wind o f the cowries waved o n

eith e r side and his praise s were sung by many thousa n ds
,
of retainers running before him young f o r the mo st part , , ,
and brave and by the bards who ceasel e ssly r e cited aloud
, ,
auspicious V erses w i th a soft cry o f Long life and

,
Victory .
’
An d a s h e passed o n his way to the city lik e a mani ,
l
f e st at i o n o f the go d o f lov e no longer b o di le ss all the ,
’
people like a l otus grove awakened by the moon s rising
,
-
,
left th e ir work and gathered to b e hold him .
K artikeya scorns the name of Kum a ra since his o wn

2
,
form is looked o n with scorn by the throng of l otus faces -
when this prince is b y Surely we reap the reward o f great .
Virtue in that we behold that godlike form with eyes wide

with t h e o ve rfl o w o f love sprung up within u s and upraised ,
in eager curiosity ( 1 7 0 ) Our birth in this world has now

.
brought forth it s fruit Nevertheless all hail to blessed .

,
Krishna who in the guise of Can drfipi d a has a s s umed a

,
’
new form ! With such words the city folk folded their
hands in adorat i on and bowed before h i m An d from the .
thousand windows which wer e unclosed from curiosity to

behold Can dr fipi d a the city itself became a s it were a mass
,
o f O pen eyes for straightway on hearing that he h ad l eft

the palace o f learning fi lle d with all knowledge women ,
eager to see him mounted t h e roofs hastily throughout the

city leaving their half done work ; som e with mirrors in
,
-
their left hand were l ike t h e nights of the full moon when ,
the moon s whole o rb is gleaming some with feet roseate

’
with fr e sh lac were like l otus buds whose fl o we r s had

,
-
drun k the early sun l ight ; some with their tender feet ,
1
O r , A n an ga , n a m of K am e a.
2
c
S i n e h e c an n l o y gi v e i t t h e n m n t t h e s bst an c e
a e, o u or m e an i n g .
K u m ar a = ( a ) n a e m of K ar t ik y a ; ( b) p in c e
e r .
68
formed of b l ue lotus petals by the long line o f bright -
glances As the women ga z ed o n him with e yes fi xe d

.
and widened i n curiosity the form o f Can drépi d a entered ,
into their hearts a s though they were mirrors o r water o r

crystal ; and a s the g l ow of love manifested itself there ,
their gracefu l speech b e came straightway mirthful con ,
fi de n t i al confu s ed envious scornful derisive coquettish

, , , , , ,
l oving o r full o f l onging ( 1 7 3 ) As for instance : Hasty

,
.
,
‘
o n e wait for me !
, Drunk with gazing ho l d thy mantle ! ,
Simpleton lift up the long tresses that han g about thy

,
face ! Remove thy moon digit ornament ! Blinded with -
l ove thy feet are caught in the fl o we rs o f thine o ffering

, ,
and thou wilt fall ! L ove distraught tie up thy hair ! -

,
Intent on the sight o f Can drapi d a raise thy gird l e ! ,
Naughty o n e lift up the ear fi o we r waving o n thy cheek !

,
-
Heartless one pick up thine earrin g ! E ager in youth

, ,
thou art being watched ! Cover thy bosom ! Shame l ess

o n e gather up thy l oosened robe !
,
Artfully artless go on ,
quicker ! Inquisitive gir l take another l ook at the kin g ! ,
In satiable how long wilt thou look

, Fickle hearted think -
,
o f thin e o wn people ! Impish gir l thy mantle has fa l len , ,
and thou art mocked ! Thou whose e yes art fi lle d with
l ove seest thou not thy fri e nds ? Maiden full o f gui l e
, ,
thou wilt live in sorrow with thy heart in causeless

torment ! Thou who feignest coyness what mean t h y ,
crafty glances ? ( 1 7 4 ) l ook boldly ! Bright with youth ,
why rest thy weight against u s Angry one go in front ,
E nviou s girl wh y block up the windo w ? Slave o f love

, ,
thou bringest my outer rob e to utter ruin ! Drunk with

l ove s breath restrain thyself ! Devoid of self control why
’
,
-
,
run before thine elders ? Bright in strength why so ,
confused ? Silly gir l hide the thril l o f lov e s fever ! Il l

,
’
behaved girl why thus weary thyself ? Changeful o n e thy

, ,
girdle presseth thee and thou su ff erest vain ly ! Absent

,
minded thou h e e de st not thyself though outside thy

, ,
house ! L ost in curiosity tho u hast forgotten how to ,
breathe ! Thou whose eyes art closed in the happy

imagination of nn i o n with thy be l oved O pen them ! H e ,
69
i s passing ! Bereft o f sense by the stroke o f love s arrow ’
place the end o f thy silken robe o n thy head t o keep o fi the
sun s rays ! Thou wh o hast taken the vo w of S a t i thou
’
,
lette s t thine eyes wander n o t seein g what is to be se e n ! ,
Wretched one thou art cast down by the vo w not to ga z e

,
o n other men V ouch safe to rise dear friend and to look , ,
at the blessed fi sh bannered go d without his banner and

1 -
,
bereft o f Rati vi sib l y pre s ent ( 1 7 5 ) His crest o f m alati

, .
fl owers under his umbrella looks l ike a mas s o f moonbeams

fa l len in under the idea that night ha s set in on his head ,
dark with swarm s o f bees His cheek is fair as a garland of .
open c ir i sha fl o we r s touched with green by the s plendour o f

his emerald earring Our youthfu l glow o f love under the
.
,
guise o f rich ruby rays among the pear l n e cklaces shines ,
o u t eager to enter his heart It is s o s een by him among .
the cowrie s Moreover what i s he l augh ing at a s he talk s

.
,
to Vai cam p ayan a so that the c i rc l e o f space is whit e ned

,
with his bright teeth ? B alah aka with the edge o f hi s ,
silken mantle green a s a parrot s p l umage is removi ng ’

,
’
from the tips of his hair the dust raised by the horses
hoofs His bough like foot soft a s Lakshm i s lotus hand
.
-
,
’
-
,
’
is raised and sportively cast athwart his horse s shoulder .
His hand with taperin g fi n ge r s and bright a s pink lotus

,
buds is outstretched to its full length to ask for betel nut

,
-
,
j ust a s an elephant s trunk in eagerness f o r mouthfuls o f

’
vallisneria ( 1 7 6 ) Happy is she who a f e llow bride with

.
,
-
earth shall like Lakshmi win that hand outvyin g the

, , ,
lotus ! Happy too is Queen Vi lasavat i by whom he who

, , ,
is able to bear the whole earth wa s nour i s hed in birth a s ,
the elephant o f the quarter s by Space

“
And a s they uttered these and other sayin gs of the
same kind Can dr épi d a drunk in by their eyes summoned
, , ,
by the tinkling o f their ornaments fol l owed by their hearts , ,
bound by the ropes o f the rays o f their j e wels honoured ,
with the o fi e rin g of their fr e sh youth bestrewn with fl o we r s ,
and rice in salutation like a marriage fi re advancing st e p ,
1
Kam a.
by step on a ma s s of white brace l et s s l ipping from their
l anguid arms reached t h e palace ”
, .
[ Dismounting and l eaning o n V ai cam p éyan a he entered ,
the court preceded by B alah aka and passing through the

'
, ,
crowd of attendant kings behe l d his father seated on a ,
white couch and attended by his guards ] 1

.
( 1 8 9 ) And on the chamberlain s saying Behold him

’
the prince with his head bent low and its crest shaking
, , ,
while yet afar 0 11 mad e his salutation and his fath er , ,
c rying from afar Come come hither ! stretched forth

, ,
’
both arms rai s ed himself slightly from his couch while his
, ,
eyes fi lle d with tears o f j oy and a thrill pa ssed over his

body and embraced his reverently bent son a s though he
,
-
would bind him fast and absorb him and drink him i n
2
,
.
And after the embrace Can drfipi d a sat down o n the bare ,
ground by his father s footstool kicking away the cloak ’

,
which had been rol l ed up and hastily made into a seat by

his o wn b e t e l nut bearer and s oft l y bidding h e r take it away ;
‘
-
,
( 1 9 0 ) and then Vai cam p ayan a being embraced by the king ,
like his own s on sat down on a seat placed for him When
,
.
h e had been there a short time a ssailed a s it were by , , ,
glance s from the women who stood motion l ess with the ,
waving of the cowrie s forgotten glances o f love long a s , ,
strings of l otus stirred by the wind from fi n e eyes ,
tremulous and a skant he wa s dismissed with the words , ,
Go my son s a l ute thy loving mother who longs t o see

‘
, , ,
thee and then in turn gladden all who nurtured thee by

,
thy sight Respectfully rising and stopping his suite

.
’
,
'
from following him h e went with Vai cam p zi yan a to the

,
z enana l ed by the royal servants meet to e nter therein ,

”
,
[ a s she sat
’
and approaching his mother sa l uted her ,
s urrounded by her attendants and by aged a scetic women ,
who read and recited legends to her ] 3

.
( 1 9 1 ) She raised him whi l e her attendants skilled in , ,
do in g her c ommands stood around her and with a lovin g

, , ,
1 S u mm ar y o f
pp 1 7 6 18 9 2
.L i t s e w h i-
m to h i m.s elf .
,
.
’
3 S mm y of pp
u ar . 19 0 , 19 1 .
71
car e ss he l d him i n a long embrace a s though think ing

, ,
inwardly o f a hundred auspicious w ords to say and ,
straightway when the claim s o f aff ection had been

,
sat i sfi e d and she had embraced Vai cam p éyan a she sat
, ,
down and drew Can drépi d a who wa s reverently seate d

, ,
o n the ground forcibly and against his will to rest in her,
arms ; ( 1 9 2 ) and when Vai cam p ayan a wa s seated o n a

stool quickly bro u ght by the attendants she embraced ,
Can drapi d a again and again on brow breast and shoulders , , ,
and said with many a caressing touch : Hard hearted my

,
-
,
child wa s thy father by whom so fair a form meet to be

, , ,
cherished by the whole universe wa s made to undergo ,
great fatigue for so long ! How didst thou endure the

tedious restraint of thy gurus ? Indeed young a s thou ,
art thou hast a strong man s fortitude ! Thy heart even

,
’
in childhood ha s lost all idle liking for childish amusement

,
and play A h well all devotion to natura l and spiritua l

.
,
parents is something apart ; and as I n o w see thee endowed ,
by thy father s favour with all knowledge s o I shall s oon

’
, ,
see thee endowed with worthy wives Having thus said .

’
a s he bent his head smiling half in shame s he kissed him , ,
o n the ch e ek which wa s a ful l r e fl e c t i o n o f her o wn and

, ,
garlanded with O pen lotuses and h e when he had stayed ,
a short time gladd e ned in turn by his presence the whole

,
z enana Then d e parting by the royal door he mounted

.
, ,
I n d r éyu dh a who wa s standing o u tside and followed by th e

, , ,
”
prince s went to see Qukan é sa
, [ and at the gate o f an ,
outer court fi lle d with priests o f many sect s he dismounted ]

,
1
,
( 1 9 4 ) and entered the palace of Q u kan é sa which resem ,
bled a second royal court O n entering he saluted Qu kan et sa

'
l ike a s econd father as he stood in the midst o f thousands

of kings s howin g him all respect with his crest bent low
, ,
even from afar C u kan asa quickly rising while the kings .
, ,
ro s e o n e after another and respectfully advancing straight ,
to him with tears of j oy fal l ing from eyes wide with glad
,
ness heartily and with great a ffection embraced him

, , , ,
together with Vai cam p éyan a Then the prince rej ecting .
,
1
S um m ar y o f p 1 9 3 . .
72
the j ewelled seat respectfully brought sat o n the bare ,
ground and ne x t t o him sat Vai cam p ayan a ; and when he

,
sat o n the ground the whole circl e o f kings except (; ukan asa
, , ,
leaving their own seat s sat a l so o n the ground Qukan fisa ,

.
stood silent for a moment showing his extreme j oy by the ,
thrill that passed ove r his limbs and then said to the ,
prince : Tru l y my child n o w that King T arapi da has

‘
, ,
seen thee grown to youth and posse s sed o f knowledge he ,
has at length gained the fruit o f his rule over the universe .
N ow all t h e b l es s ings o f thy parents have been f ulfi lle d .
Now the merit acquired in many other births has borne

fruit Now the gods o f thy race are cont e nt ( 1 9 5 ) F o r
. .
they who l ike thee aston i sh the three worlds do not

, , ,
become the s ons o f the unworthy F or where is thy age ? .
and where thy superhuman power and thy capacity o f reach

ing boundless knowledge Yea blessed are those subj ect s ,
who have thee for their protector one like unto Bharata ,
and B h agi rat h a What bright deed of merit was done by

.
E arth that she has won th e e a s lord ? Sure ly L akshmi is ,
destroyed by persisting in t h e ca price o f dwelling in

’
Vishnu s bosom that she does n o t approach thee in morta l
,
form ! B ut neverth e less do thou with thine arm a s the

, , ,
Great Boar with his circle o f tusks bear up for myriads of ,

’
ages the weight of the earth helping thy father Thu s ,
.
saying and off erin g homage with ornaments dre ss es

, , ,
fl o we r s and unguents he dism i ssed h i m

, Thereupon the
,
.
prince rising and enter ing t h e z enana visited V ai oam

, , ,
’
p ayana s mother by name M an o r am a and departing
'
, , , ,
mounted I n dr ayu dh a and went to his palace It had been

,
.
previous l y arranged by his father and had white j ar s fi lle d ,
and placed on the gates like an i mage o f the royal palace ; ,
it had garlands o f green sanda l boughs thousands o f white ,
fl ags fl yi n g and fi lle d the air with the s ound o f auspicious

,
instrument s o f music open lotuses were strewn in it A .
sac rifi c e to Agni had j ust been p e rformed every attendant ,
wa s in bright apparel every auspicious c e remony for ,
entering a hou s e had been prepared O n his arriva l he .
sat for a short time on a couch p l aced in the hal l and ,

,
3
then together with his princely retinue perform ed t h e

, ,
’
day s duties beginning with bathing and e nding with a
,
banquet ( 1 9 6) and meanwhile b e arranged that I n d ray udh a

s hould dwell in his o wn chamber .
“
And in these doings o f his the day came to a close ;
the sun s orb fell with lifted rays like the ruby anklet — its
’
—
interstice s veiled in its own light o i the Glory of Day as ,
she hastens from the sky ( 1 9 8 ) And when evening had .
begun Can dr api d a encircled by a fence o f lighted lamps

, , ,
went on f oot to the king s pala ce ( 1 99 ) and having stayed a ’
short time with his father and seen Vi lésavat i he returned , ,
to his o wn house and lay down o n a couch many hued ,

-
with the radiance o f various gems like Krishna on the ,
circle o f Qe sh a s hoods ’
.
“
And when night had turned to dawn h e with h i s , ,
’
father s leave rose before sunrise in eagerness f o r the new
, ,
delight o f hunting and mounting I n dr ayu dh a went to , , ,
the wood with a great retinue of runners horses and , ,
elephants His eagerness wa s doubled by huntsmen lead

.
ing i na golden leash hounds large as asses With arrows .
whose shafts were bright a s the leaves of a blossoming

lotus and fi t to cleave the fronta l bones o f young wild
,
1
e l e phants he slew wi l d boars
, lions carabh as yaks and , , , ,
many other kinds o f deer by thousands ( 2 0 0 ) whil e the ,
woodland goddesses looked at him with half closed eyes -

,
fl u t t e re d by fear of the twanging of his bow Other animals .
by hi s great energy he took alive A nd when the sun .
reached the z enith he rode home from the wood ( 2 0 1 ) ,
with but a few princes who were well mounted going over ,
the events of the cha se saying Thus I killed a lion thus

, ,
a bear thus a bu ffa l o thu s a c arab b a thus a stag

, , ,
.
’
O n dismounting he sat down on a s eat brought hastily

,
by his attendants took o ff his cor s elet and remov e d the

, ,
rest of his riding apparel he then rested a s hort tim e till ,
his weariness was removed by the wind of waving fans ;

having rested h e went to the bathroom provided with a
, ,
1
Qa r ab h a a f ab u l
,
o u s an i m a l s u ppos e d to h av e e i ght l e gs an d to ,
d we ll i n t h e sn owy mou n t ai n s .
74
hundred pitchers o f gold silver and j ewe l s and having a , , ,
gold s eat placed in its midst And when the bath was .
over and he had been rubbed in a separat e room with

,
cloth s his head wa s covered with a strip of pur e lin e n his

, ,
raiment was put o n and he performed his homage to the

,
gods ; and when he entered the perfuming room th e re -

,
approached him the court women attendants appointed by ,
t h e grand chamber l ain and sent by the king slaves o f ,
Vi lasavat i with K u lavar d h an a and zenana women sent

, ,
from t h e whol e zenana bearing in baskets difl e r e n t orna ,
ments wreaths unguents and robes which th e y presented

, , , ,
t o him Having taken them in due order from the women

.
,
he fi rst himself anointed Vai cam p ayan a When his own .
anointing wa s done and giving to those around him ,
fl o we r s perfumes robes and j ewels a s was meet ( 2 0 2 ) he

, , , , ,
wen t to the banquet hall rich in a thousand j ewelled -

,
vessels like the autumn sky gleaming with stars H e

,
.
there sat on a doubled rug with Vai cam p ayan a next him , ,
eagerly employed as was fi t t i n g in praising his virtues

, , ,
and the host o f princes placed each in order o f seniority o n ,
the ground felt the plea sure of the i r service increased by

,
seeing t h e great courtesy wi th which the prince s aid L et

thi s be given to him and that to him And so he du l y
,
partook of his morning meal .
After rin sin g his mouth and taking bet e l he stayed ,
there a short time and then went to I n drayu dh a and there

, , ,
without sitting down while his attendants stood behi nd ,
him with upraised faces awaitin g his commands and

, , ,
talking mostly about I n dray u dh a s points he himself with ’
, ,
heart uplifted by I n drayu dh a s merits scattered the fodder ’
before him and departing visited t h e court ; and in the

, ,
same order of routin e he saw the kin g and returning , ,
home spent the night there Next day at dawn he beheld

, .
, ,
approaching a chamb e rlain by name K ailé sa the chief of , ,
the zenana greatly trusted by the king accompanied by a

, ,
maiden of noble form in her fi r st youth from her life at , ,
court s e lf possessed ye t not devoid of modesty ( 2 03) grow

-
, ,
ing to maidenhood and in her V eil o f silk red with cochinea l

, ,
76
A s the day s thus passed o n the king eager for the , ,
anointing of Can dr api d a a s crown prince ( 2 0 6 ) appointed ,
chamberlains to gather together all things needful for i t ;

and when it was at hand Qukan asa desirous o f increasing
, ,
’
the prince s modesty great a s it already was s poke to him
, ,
at length during o n e o f his visits : Dear Can dr api d a ,
though thou hast learnt what is to be known and read all ,
the c a stra s no little remain s for thee to l earn For tru l y

, .
the darkness arisin g from youth is by nature very thick ,
n o r can it be pi e rced by the sun nor cleft by the radiance ,
of j ew e ls nor dispelled by the brightness of lamps The

,
.
intoxication o f L akshm i is terrible and does n o t cease even ,
in o ld age There is too another b l indness o f power evil

.
, , , ,
not to be cured by any sa l ve The fever o f pride run s very .
high and no cooling appliances can a l lay i t The madne s s

,
.
that rises from tasting the poison o f the senses is violent ,
and not to be counteracted by roots o r charms The d e fi le .
ment of the stain of passion is never destroyed by bathing

o r p u rifi c at i o n T he sleep of the multitude o f royal pleasures
.
is ever terrible and the end o f night brings no waking

,
.
Thus thou must often be told at l ength L ordship inherited .
ev e n from birth fresh youth peerl e ss beauty superhuman

, , ,
talent all this is a l ong s uccession of ills ( 2 0 7 ) E ach o f

, .
these separately is a home of insolence how much more

the a ss e mblage of them ! F or in early yo uth the mind
often l oses its purity though it be c l ean s ed with the pure
,
waters of the c a stra s The eyes o f the young become

.
i n fl am e d though their clearness is n o t quite lost

,
Nature .
,
too when the whirlwind o f passion arises carries a man

, ,
far in youth at its o wn will like a dry leaf borne o n the ,
wind This mirage of pleasure which captivates the sen s es

.
,
a s if they were deer alway s ends in sorrow When the

,
.
mind has its con sciousness dulled by early youth the char ,
ac t e ri st i c s of the outer wor l d fa l l on it like water all the ,
more sweetly for being but j ust tasted E xtreme clinging .
to the things of sense destroys a man misleading him like ,
ignorance o f his bearings B ut men such a s thou art the .
fi t t i n g vessels f o r instruction F o r on a min d f ree from.

77
sta in the Virtue o f good counsel enters easily as the moon s ,

’
rays on a moon crystal The words of a guru though pure

.
, ,
yet cause great pain when they enter the ears of t h e bad ,
a s water does ; ( 2 0 8 ) while in others they produce a nobler

beauty like the ear j ewel o n an elephant They remove
,
-
.
the thick darkness o f many sins like the moon in the ,
1
gloaming The teaching of a guru is ca l ming and brings
.
,
to an end the fau l ts o f youth by turning them to Virtue ,
j ust a s old age takes away the dark stain o f the locks by
turning them to gray This is the time to teach thee
. ,
while thou ha st not yet ta sted the pleasures o f sense For .
teaching pours away like water in a heart shattered by the

’
stroke o f l ove s arrow Family and sacred tradition are
.
unavailing to the froward and undisciplined Does a fi re .
not burn when fed on sandal wood 2 Is not the submarine

-
‘
fi re the fi e rc e r in the water that is wont to quench fi re ?

B ut the words o f a guru are a ba t hing without water ab l e ,
to cleanse all the stains o f man they are a maturity that

chang e s not the locks to gray ; they give weight without
increase of bulk ; though not wrought of gold they are an ,
ear j ewe l of no common order ; without l ight they shine ;

-
without startling they awaken They are specially needed

.
f o r kin gs for the admonishers of kings are few

, ( 2 0 9 ) For .
from fear men fo l low like an echo the words o f kings an d

, ,
so being unbridled in their pride and having the cavity of

, ,
their ears wholly stopped they do not hear good advice

,
even when o ff ered and when they do h e ar by closing ,
their eyes like an e l ephant they show th e ir contempt and

, ,
pain the teachers who o ffer them good counsel F or the .
nature o f kings being darkened by the madnes s of pride s

,
’
fever is perturbed their wealth causes arrogance and fa l se

,
self esteem ; their royal glory ca uses the torpor bro ught
-
about by the poison o f kingly power First let o n e who .

,
strive s after happiness look at L akshmi For this Lakshmi .

,
who n o w rests like a b e e o n the l otus grove of a circle o f -
naked swords ha s risen from the milk ocean has taken her
, ,
g l ow from the buds o f the coral tre e her crookedness from

-
,
1
( ) M an y sin s ( b) twi l i ght
a .
the moon s digit her restlessness from the steed U c c aih
’
c rava her witchery from K alak at a poison her intoxication

, ,
from nectar and fro m the K au st u b h a gem her hardness

,
.
( 2 1 0 ) All these she has taken as keepsakes to relieve her

longing with m emory o f her companions friendship There ’
.
is nothing so l ittle understood here in the world a s this

base Lakshmi When wo n she is hard to keep ; when
.
,
bound fast by the fi rm cords of heroism she vanishes ; ,
when h e ld by a cage of swords brandished by a thousand

fi e r c e champions she yet escapes ; when guarded by a ,
thick band o f elephants dark with a storm o f ichor she , ,
yet fl e e s away She keeps not friendships ; sh e regards not

.
race she r e cks n o t o f beauty she follows n o t the fortunes

o f a family ; s h e looks not o n character ; she counts not
cleverness ; she hears not sacred l e arning ; she courts not

righteousness ; she honours not liberality ; she valu e s not
discrimination ; she guards not conduct ; she und e rstands
not truth ; she makes not auspicious marks h e r guide like
the outline o f an a erial city she vanishes eve n a s we look ,
o n her . She is still diz zy with the feeling produced by the

eddying o f the whirlpool ma d e by Mount Mandara As if .
she were the tip o i a lotus stalk bound to the varying

‘
motion o f a lotus bed she gives no fi rm foothold anywher e

-
, .
E ven when held fa st wi t h gr e at e ff ort in palaces sh e ,
totters a s if drunk with the ichor o f their many wild

e lephants ( 2 1 1 ) She dwe l ls o n the sword s edge as if to
’
.
learn cru e lty She clings to the form of N a r ayana a s if to

.
learn constant change of form F ull of fi c kle n e ss she .

,
leaves ev e n a king richly endow e d with fri e nds j ud i cial , ,
power treasure and territory as she leaves a lotus at the

, , ,
end of day though it have root stalk bud and wide

, , , ,
spreading petals Like a cre e per she is ever a para site

.
1
, .
Like Gang a though producing wealth she is all a stir with

, ,
’
bubbl e s like the sun s ray she alights o n o n e thing aft e r ,
another like the cavity o f h e ll she is ful l o f dense dark ,
ness Like the demon H i dam b a her heart is only won by

.
,
the courage o f a Bhi ma l ike the rainy sea son she sends ,
1
L i t ( a ) c lim bs t r e e s ; ( b) p r ot e cts p aras i t e s
.
, .
80
hotbed of the pustules of scandal th e prologue of the ,
drama of fraud the roar of the elephant o f passion t h e

, ,
slaughter house o f goodn e ss the tongu e o f R a hu f o r th e

-
,
moon of holiness Nor see I any who has no t been

.
violently embraced by her while she wa s yet unknown to

him and whom she has not deceived Truly even in a
,
.
,
picture she moves even i n a book she practis e s magic even

cut in a gem she deceiv e s e ven when heard she mis l eads
even when thought o n she betrays .
When this wretched evil creature win s kings after

great toil by the will o f destiny th e y becom e h e lpl e ss and , ,
the abode of every shamefu l d e ed F or at the very .
moment o f coronation their graciousness is washed away

a s if by the auspicious water j ars ; ( 2 1 4 ) their heart is -
darkened as by the smoke of the sac rifi c i al fi re ; their

patience is swept away a s by the ku c a brooms of the priest
their remembrance o f advancing age is concealed a s by t h e
donning o f the turban ; t h e sight of the next world is k e pt
afar a s by the umbrella s circle ; truth is removed a s by the
’
wind o f the cowries V irtue is driven out a s by the wands

o f o ffi c e ; the voices of the good are drowned a s by cries o f
All hai l and glory is fl o u t e d a s by t h e streamers of the

banners .
F or some kings are deceived by successes which are

uncertain a s the tremulous beaks o f birds when loose from
weariness and which though pleasant for a moment a s a
, ,
fi re fi y s fl ash are contemned by the wise ; they forget their

’ ‘
origin in t h e pride o f amassing a l ittle wealth and ar e ,
troubled by the onrush o f pa ssion a s by a blood poisoning -
brought o n by accumulated diseases they are tortured by

the senses which though but fi ve in their eagernes s to
, ,
taste eve ry pleasure turn to a thousand ; they are b e

,
wildered by the mind which in native fi c kle n e ss follows its

, , ,
o wn impulses and being but one gets the force of a

, , ,
hundred thousand i n its changes Thus they fa ll into .
utter he l plessness They are seized by demons conquered

.
,
by i mps ( 2 1 5 ) poss e ssed by enchantments held by

, ,
mon s ters mocked by the wind swallow e d by ogres

, , .
Pierced by the arrows o f K a ma they make a thousand ,
contortions scorched by covetousness they writhe ; struck ,
do wn by fi e rc e blows they sink down 1

Like crabs th e y , .
,
sidle ; like cripp l es with steps brok e n by sin they are led , ,
helpless by others like stammerers from former sins of

falsehood they can scarce babb l e like sap t ac c h ada tre e s
,
2
,
they produce headache in those near them ; like dying

men they know not even their kin ; like purblind men
,
3
,
they cannot see the brightest Virtue ; like men bitten in a

fata l hour they are not waked even by mighty charms ;
,
like lac ornaments they cannot endure strong heat ; like

- 4
,
rogue elephants being fi rm ly fi xe d to the pillar o f self,
conceit they refuse teaching ; bewildered by the poison o f

,
covetousness they see everything a s golden ; like arrow s

,
5
sharpened by polishing when in the hands o f other s they ,
cause destruction ( 2 1 6) with their rods they strike down

3
great families like high growing fruit like untim e ly

,
-
blossoms though fair outwardly they cause destruction ;

, ,
they are terrible o f nature like the a shes o f a funeral pyre ; ,
like men with cataract they can see no distance ; like men ,
possessed th e y have their houses ruled by court j esters

,
when but heard o i they terrify like funera l drums ; when , ,
but thought o i like a resolve to commit mortal sin they

, ,
bring about great calamity being daily fi lle d with sin they ,
become wholly pu ffed up In this state having allied them .

,
selves to a hundred sins they are like drop s o f water ,
hanging o n the tip o f the grass on an anthill and have ,
fallen without perceiving i t .
B ut others are deceived by rogues intent on their

o wn ends greedy o f the fl e sh pots o f wealth crane s of the
,
-
,
palace l otus beds ' Gambling say these-

is a rela x a , ,
tion ; adultery a sign o f cleverness ; hunting exercise ; ,
drinking delight ; recklessness heroism ; neglect o f a

, ,
wife freedom from infatuation ( 2 1 7 ) contempt o f a guru s

,
’
word s a claim to others submission u nruliness of s ervants

,
’
,
1
Lit , . th i li mbs f i l th m
e r a e .
2
Wh i ch h v a e a st o ng sc n t
r e .
h vin g th obb i n g e y e s ( ) A n ob l e m an ; ( b) fi re
3 4
M en a r . a .
5
O r, d ink
r .
3
O r,t ax s e .
6
82
the en suring o f p l ea sant service d e votion to dance song , ,
music and bad company is knowledge of the world ;

, ,
hearkening to shameful crim e s i s greatness o f m ind ; tam e

endurance of contempt is pati e nce ; self w ill is lordship ; -
disregard o f the gods is high spirit t h e prais e o f bards is

glory rest l essness is enterprise ; lack of discernment i s
impartiality Thus are kings deceived with more than
.
mortal praises by men ready to raise faults to the grade of

Virtues practised in deception laughing in their hearts
, , ,
utterly Villainous ; and thus these monarchs by reason of ,
th e ir senselessness have their minds intoxicated by the

,
pride of wealth and have a settled false conceit in them

,
that these things are real l y so ; though subj ect to morta l

conditions they l ook on themselves a s having alighted o n
,
earth a s divine beings with a superhuman destiny ; they

m p loy a pomp in their undertakings only fi t for gods ( 2 1 8 )
and win the contempt of a l l mankind They welcome thi s .
deception o f themselve s by their followers From the .
delusion a s to the i r own divinity established in their min ds ,
they are overthrown by false ideas and they think their ,
1
o wn pair of arms have received another pair ; they ima gin e
their forehead has a third eye b uried in the sk i n 2
They .
consider the s ight of themse l ves a favour ; they esteem

their g l ance a b e n e fi t ; they regard their word s as a
present ; they hold their command a g l orious boon ; they
deem their touch a p u rifi c at i o n Weighed down by the .
pride of their fa l se greatness they neither do homage to the

,
god s nor reverence Brahman s nor honour the honourable

, , ,
nor sa l ute those to whom salutes are due nor address ,
those who should be a ddressed nor rise to greet their gurus

, .
They laugh at t h e l e arned a s losing in useless labour all

the enj oyment of pleasur e th e y loo k o n the teaching o f
the o ld a s the wandering talk o f dotage ; they abuse th e
advice o f their councillors as an insult to their o wn wis
d o m ; they are wroth with the giver o f good counsel .
A t all events the man they we l come with whom

‘
, ,
they conv ers e ; whom th e y place by their side advance ( 2 1 9 )

‘
, ,
2
Lik e Gi va .
84
down to t h e e t h at thy for e fathers have borne Bow the

'
heads of thy foes raise the host of thy friends after thy
coronation wander round the world for conquest ; and
br i ng under thy sway the earth with its seven continents
subdued o f yore by thy father .
This is the time to crown thyself with glory ( 2 2 1 ) .
A glorious king ha s his commands f u lfi lle d a s swiftly a s a

gr e at a scetic .
’
“
Having said thus much he wa s silent and by his , ,
words Can d rapi d a wa s a s it were wash ed wakened ‘
, , , ,
r i fi e d brightened bedewed anointed a dorned cleansed

p u , , , , , ,
and made radiant and with gla d heart he returned after a

,
short time to his o wn palace .
“
Som e days l ater on an au spicious day the king , , ,
surround e d by a thousan d chi e fs raised aloft with Q uka , ,
n a sa s help the vessel of consecration and himse l f anointed

’
, ,
his son while t h e rest o f the rites w e re performed by the

,
family pri e st The water of consecration wa s brought from

.
e very sacred pool river and ocean encircled by every

, ,
plant fruit earth an d gem mingl e d with tears o f j oy and

, , , , ,
p u r ifi e d by mantras A t that very mom . e nt while the ,
prince wa s yet wet with the water of con secration roya l ,
glory pa ssed o n to him without leaving T ar ap i d a a s a ,
creeper stil l clasping its o wn tre e passes to another ( 2 22 ) .
Straightway he was anointed from head to foot by Vi lé sa

vati a ttended by all the z e nana and full o f tender love
, , ,
with sweet sandal whit e a s moonb e ams H e wa s gar .
landed with fresh whit e fl o we r s ; deck e d with lin e s o f

1
g o r o c a n a adorned with an earri n g of d fi r va grass c l ad in

two new silken rob e s with long fringes white a s the moon ,
bound with an amul e t round his hand tied by the family ,
pri e st ; and had his breast e ncircl e d by a pearl necklace -

,
like the circl e of the Seven Rishis come down to see his
coronation strung on fi lam e n t s from th e lotus poo l o f the
,
-
royal fortune o f young royalty .
“
From t h e complete concealment o f his body by
wreaths o f white fl o we r s interwoven and hangin g to his
1 L it i n l ai d
’
.
.
,
85
knees soft as moonbeams and from his w earing s n o wy

, ,
1
robes he wa s like Nara simha shaking h i s thick mane , ,
o r like Kail a sa with its fl o wi n g str e ams or A i ravat a rough

, , ,
with the tangled lotus fi b r e s of the heavenly Gang e s or the

-
,
Milky Ocean all covered with flak e s o f bright foam

, .
( 22 3 ) Then his father himself for that time took the

chamberlain s wand to make way for him and he went to
’
the hall o f assembly and mounted the royal throne like ,
the moon o n Meru s peak Then when he had rec e iv e d ’

.
,
due homage from the kings after a short pause t h e ,
great drum that heralded his setting o u t on his triumpha l

course resounded deeply under the stroke of golden drum ,
sticks Its sound was as the noise of clouds gathering at

.
the day o f doom ; o r the ocean struck by Mandara o r the

foundations of e arth by the earthquakes that close an aeon ;
o r a portent cloud with its fl ash e s o f lightning ; o r the
-
,
hollow o f hell by the blows of the snout of the Great Boar .
And by its sound the spaces o f the world were in fl at e d ,
O pened separated outspread fi lle d turned sunwise and

, , , , ,
deepened an d the bonds that held the sky were unloosed

,
.
The echo of it wand e red through the three worlds ; for it

was embraced in the lower wor l d by Q esha with his ,
thousand hoods raised and bristling in fear ; it was chal

l enged in space by the elephants o f the quarters tossing
their tusks in opposition ; it was honoured with sunwise
2
t u rn s in the sky by the sun s steeds tossing their heads ’
in their snort o f terror ; ( 2 24) it was wondrously answered

on Kail a sa s peak by i a s bull with a roar o f j oy in the
’ ’
belief that it was his master s loudest laugh it wa s met in ’
Meru by A i ravat a with deep trumpetin g ; it was reverenced

,
in the hal l of the gods by Yama s bull with his curved

’
,
horns turned sideways in wrath at so strange a sound and

it wa s heard in terror by the guardian gods o f the world .
Then at the roar of the d rum followed by an outcry

, ,
of Al l hail from all sides Can drapi d a came down fro m ,
the throne and with him went the glory of his foes Hé
,
.
‘
1 O r, k e s ar a fl o w e rs .
2
B e c a ka , so comm n t y
e ar .
86
left the hall o f ass e mbly fol l owed by a thousand chiefs

, ,
w ho rose hastily around him strewing o n all sides the large

,
pearls that f e ll from the strings o f th e ir n e ckla ces a s they

struck against each other like rice sportive ly thrown a s a
,
good omen for th e ir setting o ff to conquer the world H e .
showed like the coral tree amid the white buds o f the
-
kalpa tree s ; o r A i r avat a amid the e lephants o f the

- 1
quarters bedewing him with water from their trunks ; o r

heaven with the fi rm am e n t showering stars ; o r the rainy
,
season with c l ouds ever pouring heavy drops .
( 2 2 5) Then an elephant was hastily brought by the

mahout adorned with all auspicious sign s for the j ourney
, ,
and o n the inner seat P at rale kh fi was placed T he prin ce .
then mounted and under the shade o f an umbre l la with a

,
hundred wires enmeshed with pear l s beauteous as Kail a sa ,
standing on the arms o f Havana and white a s the whirl ,
pools o f the Milky Ocean under the tossing of the mountain ,
he started o n his j ourn e y And a s he paus e d in his .
departure he s aw the ten quar t ers tawny with the rich

sunlight surpassing molten lac of the fl ash i n g crest j ewels
, ,
-
o f the kings who watched him with faces hidd e n behind
the ramparts a s if the light were t h e fi r e o f his o wn

,
maj esty fl ash in g forth after his coronation H e saw t h e

,
.
earth bright a s if with his o wn glow o f loya l ty when

anointed a s heir apparent and the sky crimson a s with the
-
,
fl am e that hera l ded the swift destruction o f his foe s and ,
daylight roseate a s with lac j uice from the feet of th e -
Lakshm i of earth coming to greet him .
O n the way hosts o f kings with their thousand

“ ‘
,
elephants swayin g in confusion their umbrella s broken by ,
the pressure o f the crowd their crest j ewels falling low a s

,
-
their diadems bent in homage ( 22 6) their e arrings h anging ,
down and the j ewels fall i ng o n their ch eeks bowed l ow

, ,
before him a s a trusted genera l recited their names The

,
.
elephant Gan dh am fidan a followed the prince pink with ,
much red l ead dangling to the ground his ear ornament s

,
-
o f pear l s having his head o ut l ined with many a wre ath o f

,
1
Both tr e e s o f p aradi s e .
88
Tarap i d a, for thee to conquer 2 Wh at regions unsubdued ‘

,
for th e e to subdue ? ( 2 3 5 ) What fortresses untaken for ,
thee to take ? What continents unappropriated f o r the e ,
t o appropriate ? What treasures ungain e d for t hee t o ,
gain ? What kings have not been h umbled ? B y whom

have the raised hands of salutation soft a s young l otuses , ,
not been placed on the head ? B y whose brow s encircled ,
with golden bands have the fl o o r s o f his halls not been

,
polished ? Whose crest j ewel s have not scraped his foot -
stool ? Who have not accepted his sta ff o f o ffic e ? Who

have not waved his cowries ? Who have not raised t h e
cry o f Hail Who have not drunk in with the crocodile s
o f their crest s the radiance o f his feet like pure streams
, ,
F or all the s e pr i nce s though they are imbued with t h e ,
pride o f armie s ready in their rough play to plunge into

,
the four oceans though they are the peers o f the grea t
kings D acarat h a B h agi rat h a Bharata D i li p a Alarka and
, , , , ,
M an dh at r i ; though they are anointed princes soma ,
drinker s haughty in the pride of birth yet they bear o n

, ,
the spray s of crests p u rifi e d with the shower of the water

of consecration th e dust of thy feet o f happy omen like an ,
amu l et o f a she s B y them a s by fresh n oble mountain s

.
,
the earth i s uphe l d These their armies th at have enter e d

.
the heart of the ten regions fo l low thee alone ( 2 3 6 ) F or .
10 wherever thy g l ance i s cast hell seems to vomit forth ,
armies the earth to bear them the quarte rs to di scharg e

, ,
them the sky to rain them the day to create them And
, ,
.
methinks the earth trampled by the weigh t o f boundless ,
host s recalls to day the confusion o f the battles of the

,
- .
Mah a bh a rata .
Here the s un wander s in the groves of pennons with ,
hi s o rb stumblin g over their t 0 ps as if he wer e trying out o f , ,
curiosity to count the banners The earth is ceaselessly

, .
submerged under ichor s weet a s cardamons and fl o win g ,
like a plait o f hair from the elephants who scatter it all

,
round and thick too with the murmur o f the bees s ettlin g
, , ,
o n i t
, so that it shines as if fi lle d with the waves o f Yamun a .
The line s of moon white fl ags hide the horizon like river s
-
,
9
that in fear o f being mad e turbid by the heavy host have

fl e d to the sky It is a wonder that t h e earth has not
.
t o day been split into a thousand pieces by the weight of

-
the army and that the bonds o f its j oints the noble ,
mounta in s are n o t burst a sunder ; and that the hoods o f

,
Q esha the
, lord of serpents in distress at the burden of earth
,
pressed down under the l oad o f tr 0 0 ps do not give way , .

’
( 237) While he was thus speaking the prince reached ,
his palac e It was adorned with many lofty triumpha l

.
arches ; dotted with a thousand pavilions enclosed in

gra ssy ramparts and bright with many a tent of shining
,
white c l oth Here he dismounted and performed in kingly

.
,
wise al l due rites and though the kings and min isters who
had come together sought to divert him with various tales ,
he spent the rest o f the day in sorrow for his heart was ,
tortured with bitter grief for his fresh separation from his
father When day wa s brought to a close he passed the
.
night t o o mostly in s l eep l essness with Vai cam p ayan a

, , ,
restin g on a couch n o t far from his own and P at rale kh a ,
sleeping hard by o n a blanket p l aced o n the ground ; hi s

talk wa s now o f his father n o w o f his mother now of , ,
Q u k a n a sa and ,he rested but little A t dawn he arose and .

,
with an army that grew at every m arch a s it advanced ,
in unchanged order he hollowed the earth shook the , ,
mountains dried the rivers emptied the lakes ( 2 38 )

, , ,
crushed the woods to powder levelled the crooked places , ,
tore down the fortresses fi lle d up the hollows and hol l owed , ,
the s o l id ground .
“
B y degrees a s he wandered at will he bo w ed the
, ,
haughty e x alted the humble encourag e d the fearful p r o

, , ,
t e c t e d the suppliant rooted out the Vicious and drove o u t

, ,
the hostile H e anointed princes in di ff erent places

. ,
gathered treasures accepted gif ts took tribute taught local

, , ,
regulations e stablished monuments of his visit made

, ,
hymns of worship and inscrib e d edicts H e hon o ur e d

,
.
Brahmans reverenced saints protected hermitag e s and

, , ,
showed a prowess that won his people s love H e exalted ’

.
h i s maj esty heaped up his glory showed his virtues f ar

, ,
90
and wide and won renown for his good deeds

, Thus .
trampling down the woods on the shore and turning the ,
who l e expanse o f ocean to gray with the dust o f hi s army ,
he wandered over the earth .
“
The E ast was his fi r st conquest then the Southern ,
Q u arter m arked by Tri canku then the Western Quarter

, , ,
which has V aruna f o r its s ign and immediately afterwards ,
the Northern Quarter a dorned by the Seven R i shis .
Within the three years that he roamed over the world he

had subdued the whole earth with it s continents bounded , ,
o n ly by the moat o f four oceans .
( 2 39) H e then wandering sunwise conquered and

“ ‘
, ,
occupied S uvar n ap u ra n o t far from the E astern Ocean the , ,
abode o f those K i rat as who dwell near K ailét sa and are cal led ,
He m aj akfi t as and a s his army wa s weary from its wor l d

,
wide wandering he encamped there for a few days t o rest

,
.
One day during his soj ourn there h e mounted Indr a

yudha to hunt and a s he roamed through the wood he
,
beheld a pair o f K i nn aras wandering down at will from the

mountains Wondering at the strange sight and eager to
.
,
take them he brought up his horse respectfu l ly near them

,
and approached them B ut they h urried o n fearing the .

,
unkno wn sight o f a man and fl e e in g from him whil e he , ,

’
pursued them doub l ing I n drayu dh a s speed by frequent
,
pat s o n his neck and went o n a l one l eaving his army far
, ,
behind Led o n by the idea that he wa s j ust catching

.
them he wa s borne in an in stant fif t e e n l eague s from his

,
o wn quarters by I n d r fi u dh a s speed a s it were at one

’
y
bound and was left companionless ( 2 40 ) The pair o f
, .
Ki nn aras he wa s pursuing were climbing a s teep h ill in

front o f him H e at length turned away hi s glance which
.
,
wa s following their progress and checked by the steepne s s , ,
o f the a scent reined in I n dray u dh a

,
T hen seeing that .
,
both his horse and himself were tired and heated by the i r
toi l s he considered for a moment and l aughed at himse l f
, ,
a s he thought : Why have I thu s wearied myse l f for ‘
nothing l ike a child ? What matter s i t whether I catch

,
the pair o f K inn aras o r n o t 2 If caught what is the good 2 ‘
,
‘
92
f or water he wandered ti ll at l e ngth he saw a track wet

,
with masses of mud raised by the fe e t o f a large troop of

mountain elephants wh o had lately come up from bathing
in a l otus pool ( 24 3 ) Inferring thence that there w
,
-
. as
water near he went straight o n along the slope o i Kail a sa

, ,
the trees o f which closely crowded as they were seem e d , , ,
from their lack of boughs to be far apart f o r they were , ,
mostly pines c al and gum olibanum trees and were lofty

, , , ,
and like a circle o f umb rellas to be gazed at with uprais e d ,
head There wa s thick y e llow sand and by reason o f the

.
,
stony soil the gra ss and shrub s were but scanty .
( 2 44 ) A t length he beheld o n the north east o f Kail a sa ,

-
,
a very l ofty clump o f trees ri s ing like a mass o f clouds , ,
heavy with its weight of rain and massed a s if with the ,
darkn ess o f a night in the dark fortnight .
“
The wind from the waves soft as sandal dewy cool , , ,
from passing over t h e wat e r aromatic with fl o we rs met , ,
h im and s eemed to woo him and the cri e s of kalah am sas

,
drunk with lotus honey charming his ear summoned him -

, ,
to enter S o he went into that clump and in its midst

.
,
behe l d the A c c h o d a Lake a s if it were t h e mirror o f the ,
L akshmi of the three worlds the crystal chamber o f the ,
goddess o f earth the path by which the waters o f oc e an

,
escape the oozing of the quarters the avatar of part o f th e

, ,
sky Kai la sa taught to fl o w Himavat li q u e fi e d moonlight

, , ,
melted ( ; iva s smil e turned t o water ( 2 4 5 ) the merit o f the

,
’
three worlds abiding in the shape of a lake a range of hills ,
o f l api s la z uli changed into water o r a mass of a utumn ,
c l oud s poured down in one spot F rom it s clearness it .
might be Varuna s mirror ; it seemed to be fashioned o f ’
the hearts o f ascetics the virtues o f good men the bright , ,
e yes o f deer or the rays o f pearls , .
2
( 47) Like the person of a great man it showed clearly ,
t h e signs o f fi sh crocodile tortoise and cakra ; l ike the

,
1
, ,
story of K artikeya the lamentation s o f the wives of ,
K rau ri c a resounded in i t ; it was shaken by the wings of

2 ‘'
1
All au sp l c l o u s s gn s C a kr a i s ( a ) a qu o i t ; ( b ) a c akr avfik a
1 .
f
.
2
(a) A d mon ;
e ( b) the h oner .
white D h é rt arash t ras as the Mah abh arata by the rivalry
,
o f P a ndava s and D h art ar ash t r a s and the drinking o f

poison by i a was r e presented by the drinking o f its wate r
by peacocks as if it were the time of the churnin g o f ocean
, .
It w a s fair like a god with a gaze that never wavers

, , .
( 2 4 8 ) Lik e a futile argument it seemed t o have no end ; ,
and wa s a lake most fair and gladdening to the eyes .
The very sight of it seemed to remove Can drépi d a s ’
weariness and a s he gaz e d he thought

,
Though my pursuit of the horse faced pair was -
fruitless ye t now that I see this l ake it has gained its

,
reward My eyes re ward in b e holding all that is t o be

.
’
seen has now been won the furthest point o f all fair things,
.
seen the limit of all that gladd e ns u s gazed upon the

, ,
boundary line of all that charms u s descri e d the perfection ,
o f all that cause s j oy made manifest and the vanishing ,
point o f all worthy o f sight beheld ( 24 9 ) B y creating thi s .
lake water sweet a s nectar t h e Creator has made hi s own

, ,
labour of creation super fluous F o r this too like the .

, ,
n e ctar that gladdens all the senses produces j oy to the eye ,
by its purity o ff ers the pleasure of touch by its cooln e ss

, ,
gladdens the sens e of smell by the fragrance of its lotus e s ,
pleases the ear with the ceaseless murmur of its h am sas ,
and delights the taste with its sweetness Truly it is from .
eagerness to behold this that i a leave s n o t his infatuation

for dwelling on K ailé sa S urely Krishna no longer follows .
his own natural desire as to a watery couch for he sleeps ,
o n the ocean with its water bitter with salt and leaves this
, ,
water s weet a s nectar Nor is this in sooth the prim aeva l , ,
lake f o r the earth when fearing the blows o f the tusks of

,
the boar o f destruction entered the ocean all the water s o f

, ,
which were d e signed but to be a draught f o r Agasty a ;

whereas if it had plunged i nto this mighty lake deep a s
, ,
many deep hells it could not have been reached I say n o t

, ,
by o n e but not even by a thousand boars ( 2 5 0) Veri ly it

,
.
is from thi s lake that the clouds of doom at the s eason s o f

fi n al destruction draw little by little their water when they
overwhelm the interstice s o f the un i ver s e and darken all ,
94
the quarters with their destroying storm A nd methinks .
’
that the world Brahm a s e gg which in the beginning of
, ,
creation was made of water was ma ssed toget h er and ,
S o thinking he
’
placed here und e r the guise of a lak e .
,
reached the south bank dismounted and took o ff Indr a ,
y u d h a s harnes
’
s ; ( 2 5 1 ) and the latter rolled on the ground ,
arose ate s ome mouthfuls o f grass and then t h e prince

, ,
took him down to the lake and let him drink and bathe at ,
w ill After that the prince took o ff his bridle bound two
.
, ,
o i: his feet by a golden chain to the lower bough of a tree
hard b y an d c utting o ff with his dagger som e d arv a gra ss

, ,
from the bank o f the lake threw it befor e the horse and , ,
went back himself to the water He washed his hands .

,
and feasted like the c a tah a o n water ; like the c akravaka

, , ,
he tasted piec e s of l otus fi b re ; like the moon with its -
beams he touched the moon lotuses with his fi n ge r tips ;

,
- -
1
l ike a snake he welcomed the breeze o f the waves ; like
,
’
o n e wounded with L ove s arrows he placed a covering o f ,
lotus leaves on his breast ; like a mountain elephant when

-
,
the tip of his trunk is wet with spray he adorned his hand s ,
with spray washed l otuses Then with dewy lotus l e aves

- .
-
,
with fresh ly broken fi b re s he made a couch o n a rock

-
,
embowered in creepers and rolling up his cloak for a ,
pi ll ow l ay down to sleep After a short rest he heard on

,
.
,
the north bank o f the lake a sweet sound o f unearthly

music borne o n the ear and blent with the chords o f the
, ,
vi n a ( 2 5 2 ) I n dr ay u dh a heard it fi r st and letting fall the

.
,
grass he was eating with ears fi xe d and neck arched , ,
turned towards t h e voice The prince a s h e heard i t rose .

, ,
from his lotus couch in curiosity to see whence this s ong

-
cou l d arise in a pla ce deserted by men and cast his glance ,
towards the region but from the great distance he wa s , ,
unable though he s trained his eyes to the utmost to

, ,
discern anything although he ceaselessly heard the sound, .
De s iring in his eagerness to know its source he determined ,
to depart and saddling and mounting I n drayu dh a he set

, ,
1
F o r t h e l ov e o f s n ak e s f o r t h e b r e e z e V R agh u v am ca X III 12 , .
, .
, ,
an d B u ddh ac ar i t a I 44 S n ak e s are som e ti m e s c all e d vaywba ksha

, .
,
.
‘
.
96
massed together l ike Ganges between the trees giving a ,

’
fresh whiteness to Kail a sa and purifying the ga zer s soul , ,
though it but enter e d his eye The e xc e eding whiteness o f .
h e r form concealed her limbs a s though she h ad enter e d a

crysta l shrine or had plunged into a sea o f milk or wer e
, ,
hidden in s potless silk or were caught on t h e surface o f a

,
mirror o r were veiled in a utumn clouds S h e seemed to

,
.
be fashion e d from the quintes sence o f whiteness without ,
t h e bevy of helps for the creation o f the body that con sist
o f matter formed of the fi ve gross elements .
( 2 5 9 ) She wa s like sa c r i fi c e imp e rsonate come to worship ,
i a in
,
f e ar of being sei z e d by the un w orthy ; or Rati ,
undertaking a rit e o f propitiation to conci l iate him f o r the ,

’
sake o f K a ma s body o r L akshm i goddess of the Milky ,
Ocean longing for a digit of i a s moon her familiar

,
’
friend of yore wh e n they dwelt together in the deep ; o r the

embodied moon seekin g i a s protection from R ahu ; or ’
the beauty o f A i ravat a come to f alhl ( ; iva s wish to wear

1
,
’
an elephant s skin ; o r the brightness of the smil e o n the

’
right face o f i a become manifest an d taking a separate

abode or the white a sh with which i a besprinkles him
s elf in bodily shape ; or moonlight made manifest to dispel
,
the darkness o f i a s neck o r the embodied purity o f

’
’
Gauri s mind o r the impersonate chastity of K a rtikeya ;
o r the brightness o f i a s bul l dwe l ling apart fro m his
’
body ; ( 2 6 0) o r the wealth of fl o we r s o n the temple trees

come o f thems e lves to worship i a ; or the fulness o f
Brahm a s penance come down to earth ; or the glory o f the
’
Praj a patis o f the Golden Age resting after the fatigue o f ,
wandering through the seven worlds or the Three V eda s ,
d welling in the woods in grief at the overthrow o f righteous

nes s in the Kali Age ; o r the germ of a future Golden
Age in the form of a maid e n ; or the ful n ess o f a muni s
,
’
contemplation in human shape ; or a tr 0 0 p of heavenly

,
elephants fa l ling into confusion on reaching the heavenly

,
G anges o r the beau t y of Kail a sa fallen in drea d of being ,
1
M e gh ad fi t a , 3 8 .
97
uprooted by R a vana ; o r the Lakshmi of the Qve t advi p a 1
come to behold another continent ; o r t h e grace of an

opening k a c a blossom looking f o r the a utumn ; o r the
-
brightness of Qe sh a s body le avin g h e ll and com e to e arth

’ ‘
o r the brilliance o f Balar a ma which had lef t him in ,
wearin ess o f his intoxication ; or a succession o f bright

fortnights mass e d tog e ther .
She seemed from her whiteness to have taken a share

from al l t h e h am sas ( 2 6 1 ) o r to hav e come from the heart
of righteousness o r to have been fa shioned from a sh e ll ;
o r drawn from a pearl ; or formed from lotus fi b r e s ; o r -
made o f fl ake s o f ivory ; or p u rifi e d by brushes of moon

beams ; or inlaid with lime ; or whitened with foam ba l ls -
of ambrosia o r laved in streams o f quicksilver ; o r rubbed

with melted silver ; or dug o u t from the moon s orb ; or ’
decked with the hues of k a t aj a j asmine and si n duvfira , ,
fl o we r s She seemed in truth to be the V e ry furthest

.
, ,
bound of whiteness Her hea d wa s bright with matted .
locks hanging on h e r should e rs made a s it were o f the , , ,
brightness of morning rays taken from the sun o n the

E astern Mountain tawny like the quivering spl e ndour o f
,
fl ashing lightning a n d being wet from r e cent bathing

, , ,
marked with the dust o f i a s feet clasped in her devotion ; .

’
she bore i a s f e et marked with his name in j e w e ls on h e r

’
head fasten e d with a band o f hair ( 2 6 2 ) and her brow

,
had a sectarial mark o f ashes pure a s the dust o f stars

ground by the he e ls o f the sun s horses ( 2 6 6 ) She wa s a ’
.
goddess and her age could not be known by earthly

,
reckoning but she r e sembl e d a maiden of eighteen

,
s ummers .
Having beh e ld her Can dr api d a dismounted ; tied his ,
horse to a bough and then reverently bowing b e fore the

, ,
blessed i a gaz ed again o n that heavenly maiden with a

,
steady unswerving glance And as her beauty grace and .

, ,
s e renity stirred his wonder t h e thought arose in him ,
1 T h e d vip a s ar e con t i n n ts s p t d f om ch oth by oc n s

e e ar a e r ea er ea .
Th e
Q v e t a d v ip a , o r Whi t Con t in t i cco d in g to W b s gg st d
e en , s, a r e er, u e e
by A l e xan dri a . V . I n di sch St di n I 400 ; II 3 9 7 39 8

e u e ,
’
.
, .
, , .
98
How in this wor l d each matter in its turn becomes o f no

va l ue ! F o r when I was pursuing the pair of K in n aras
wanton l y and vainly I beh e ld this most beautiful place ,
inacce s sible to men and haunted by the immortals ( 2 6 7 ) ,

.
Then in my search f o r water I saw this de l ightful lake

sought by the Siddha s While I rest e d o n its bank I heard .
a divine song ; and a s I followed the sound this divine ,
maiden too fair for mortal sight met my eyes F o r I

, ,
.
cannot doubt her divinity Her very beauty proclaims her .
a goddess An d whence in the world o f men could ther e

.
arise such h armonies of h eavenly minstrelsy ? I f there ,
fore she vanishes not from my sight nor mounts the

, ,
summit o f Kail a sa nor fl i e s to the sky I will draw near

, ,
an d ask her Who art thou and what is thy name and
,
“
, ,
why hast thou in the dawn of life undertaken thi s vo w ?

This 1 s all full o f wonder With this resolve he approached .
’
another pillar o f the crysta l shrine and sat there awaiting , ,
the end of the song .
“
Then when she had stilled her lute l ike a moon ,
lotus bed when the pleasant hum o f the bees is silenced ,
( 2 6 8 ) the maiden rose made a sunwise turn and an ,
ob e isance to i a and then turning round with a glance, ,
by nature clear and by the power o f penan ce c o n fid e n t

, ,
she a s it were gave courage to Can drapi d a a s if thereby

'
, , ,
she were sprinkling him with merits laving h im with holy ,
water purifying him with penance freeing him from stain

, , ,
giving him his heart s desire and leading him to purity ’
, .
“
Hail to my guest said she
‘
How has my l ord .
‘
reached this place 2 Rise draw near and receive a guest s

‘
, ,
’
S o she spake ; and h e deeming himself

’
due welcome .
,
honoured even by her deigning to sp e ak with him ,
reverently arose and bowed before her As thou b idde st .

,
lady he rep l ied and showed his courtesy by following in

,
’
her s teps like a pupil And o n the way he thought : L o .

,
even when she beheld me she did n o t vanish ! Truly a

hope of a sking her questions has taken hold o f my heart .
And when I see the courteous welcome rich in kindness o f , ,
this maiden fair though she be with a b e au t y rare in

,
'
100
Can drapi d a to the enj oyment o f them the thought aros e in ,
his h eart : O i a truth there is nought beyond the power ,
of penance For it is a great marvel how the lords o f the

.
forest albeit devoid o f sense yet l ik e beings endowed with

, , ,
sense gain honour for themse l ves by ca sting down their

,
fruits for this maiden A wondrous sight is this and o n e .

,
’
never seen befor e .
S o marvelling yet more h e brought I n dr ay u dh a to

, ,
that spot unsaddled him and ti e d him up hard b y ( 2 7 1 )

, , .
Then having bathed in the torrent he partook of the

, ,
fruits sweet as ambrosia and drank the cool water of the

, ,
cascade and having rinsed his mouth he waited apart

, ,
while the maiden enj oyed h e r repast o f water roots an d , ,
fruit .
“
When her meal wa s ended and she had said her
‘
evening prayer and taken her seat fearlessly on the rock

, ,
the Prince quietly approached her and sitt i ng down near ,
her paused awhile and then respectfully said :

,
Lady the folly that besets mankin d impe l s me even

,
against my wil l to question thee for I am b e wi ld e r e d by a , .
curiosity that ha s taken courage from thy kindness F or .
even the slightest grac e of a lord embolden s a weak nature

even a short time spent together creates intimacy E ven a .
slight acceptance of homage produces a ff ection Therefore .

,
if it weary thee not I pray thee to honour me with thy ,
story F o r fr om my fi r st sight o f thee a great eagerness

.
has possessed me a s to this matter Is the race honoured .
by thy birth lady that of the Maruts o r B i sh i s or Gand

, , , ,
b arva s or G uh yakas or Apsara ses ? And wherefore in

, ,
thy fresh youth tend e r a s a fl o we r has this vo w been, ,
taken ? ( 2 7 2 ) F or how far apart would seem thy youth ,
thy b e auty and thine exceeding grace fro m this thy pea ce
, ,
from all thoughts o f earth ! This is m arvellous in min e

eyes ! And wh e r e fore hast thou left t h e heavenly h e rmit
age s t h at gods may win an d that hold all things needful ,
for the highest saints to dwell alone in this deserted wood 2 ,

‘
A n d whereby hath thy body though formed o f the fi ve ,
gross elements put on this pure whiteness Never have I

,
101
heard o r seen aught such as this I p ray thee dispe l my .
curiosity and tell me all I a sk

, .
’
F or a little time she pondered his request in sil ence ,
and then she began to weep noiselessly and her eyes w e re ,
blinded by tears which fe l l in large drops carrying with ,
them the purity of her heart showering down the innocence

,
o f her senses distilling the essence o f a sceticism dropping

, ,
in a liquid form the brightness of her eyes most pure , ,
falling on her white cheeks like a broken string of pearls ,
unceasing splashing o n her bosom covered by the bark

,
robe .
( 2 7 3 ) And
“
a s he behe l d her weeping C an d r ap i d a r e
flect ed : How hard l y can misfortune be warded o ff if it ,
takes for its o wn a beauty like this which one might have ,
deemed beyond its might O i a truth there is none whom

the sorrows o f life in the body l eave untouched Strong .
indeed is the working of the opposed pow e rs o f pleasure .
and pain 1
. These her tears have crea t ed in me a further
curiosity even greater than before It is no slight grief
,
.
that can take its abode in a form like her s For it is not a .
feeble blow that causes the earth to tremble .

’
While his curiosity was thus increased he felt himself

guilty of recalling her grief and rising brought in h i s
, ,
fo l ded hand from the torrent some water to bathe her face .
B ut she though the torrent o f her tears was in nowi s e

,
checked by his gentleness yet bathed her reddened eyes

, ,
and drying her face with the edge o f her bark robe slow l y ,
said with a long and bitter sigh

( 2 7 4) Wherefore Prince wilt thou hear the story of
, ,
my a scetic life all u n fi t for thy ears ? for cruel has been
,
my heart hard my destiny and evil my condition even

, , ,
from my birth Still if thy desire to know be great

.
, ,
hearken It has come within the range of o u r hearin g

.
,
usually directed to auspiciou s knowledge that there are in ,
the abo d e of the gods maiden s called Apsarases O i these .
there are fourteen fami l ie s : o n e sprung from the mind o f

Brahm a another from the V edas a n other from fi re
, , ,
1
D van d va a p air o f oppo s i t e s a s
, ,pl e asu re an d p ai n
,
.
2
anothe r fr om the wind another from nectar when it wa s

‘
,
’
churned another from water another from the sun s rays
, , ,
another from the moon s beams another from earth and ’

‘
, ,
another from lightning ; o n e was fashioned by Death and ,
another created by L ove ; besides Daksha father o f all , , ,
had among his man y daughters two Muni and A ri sh t a , ,
and from their union with the Gandharva s were sprung

the other two families These are in s um the fourteen .
, ,
races B ut from the Gandharva s and the daughters o f

.
Daksha sprang these two families Here Muni bore a .
si x teenth so n by name Ci t rarat h a who excelled in V irtues

, ,
Sena and all the rest o f his fi f t e e n brothers F o r his .
heroism wa s famed through the three worlds ; his di gnity

wa s increased by the name of Friend bestowed by Indra , ,
whose l otus feet are caressed by the crests of the gods cast
down before h im ; and even in childhood he gained the
s overeignty of all the Gandharvas by a right arm tinged
with t h e fl ashin g of his sword ( 2 7 5 ) N o t far hence north .
,
of the lan d of Bharata is his dwelling H e m akfi t a a , , ,
boundary mountain in the K i m p uru sh a co untry There .

,
protected by his arm dwe ll innumerable Gandharvas B y

,
.
him this p l ea sant wood Cai t rar at h a was made this great
, , ,
lake A c c h o d a wa s dug o ut and this image of i a wa s ,
fashioned B ut the son of A ri sh t é in the second Gand

.
,
b arva fami l y wa s a s a child anointed king by Ci t r arat h a

, ,
lord o f the Gandharvas and now holds royal rank and , ,
with a countless retinue o f Gandharva s dw e lls l ik e wise on

this mounta in N o w from that family o i Apsarases which
.
,
.
S prang from the moon s nectar wa s born a maiden ’

,
’
fashioned a s though by the grace of all the moon s digits
poured in o n e stream gladdening the eye s o f the universe
, ,
1
moonbeam fair in name and nature a second Gaur i
-
,
.
( 7 6) Her Hamsa lord o f the second family wooed a s

2 , , ,
the Mi l ky Ocean the Ganges ; with him she wa s united a s ,
Rati with K a ma or the lotus bed with the autumn ; and

,
-
enj oy i ng the great happiness o f s uch a union she became

the queen of his z enana To this noble pair I wa s born a s .
1
( a
) B r illi an t; ( b) D ur gfi .
04
de l ight and to fi ll t h e sense o f smell Bees followed i t

,
.
,
seeking to make it their o wn : it wa s truly a perfume

unknown heretofore and fi t f o r the gods I t o o e age r to
,
.
, ,
‘
l earn whence it came with eyes turned into buds and

, ,
drawn o n like a bee by that scent and attracting to me ,
the kalah am sas of the lake by the j angling of my ank l et s

loudly clashed in the tremulous speed o f my curiosity ,
advanced a few steps and beheld a graceful yout hfu l asc e tic
coming down to bathe H e was lik e Spring doing penance
.
in grief for Love made the fuel o f i a s fi r e or t h e ’
crescent on i a s brow performing a vow to win a full orb

’
,
o r Love restrained in his eagerness to conquer i a : by

'
his great splendour he appeared to be girt by a cage o i

quivering lightning embosomed in the globe of the summer
,
sun o r encircled in the fl am e s o f a furnace : ( 2 80) by the

,
brightness o f his f orm fl ashin g forth ever more and more

, ,
yellow a s l amplight he made the grove a tawny gold his

,
l ocks were yel l ow and soft like an amulet dyed in go ro c an a .
The line o f ashes o n his brow mad e him lik e Ganges with
the line o f a fresh sandbank as though it were a sandal ,
1
mark to win Sarasvat i and played the part of a banner of
,
holiness ; his eyebrows were an arch rising high over the

abode o f men s curses ; his e yes were so long that he
’
seemed to wear them a s a chaplet ; he shared with the

deer the beauty of their glanc e his nose wa s l ong and
aquilin e ; the citron o f his lower lip was rosy as with the
glow of youth which wa s refused an entrance to his heart ;
,
with his beard l ess cheek he wa s like a fresh lotus the ,
fi lam e n t s of which have not yet been tossed by t h e bees in

their sport ; he was adorned with a sac ri fi c i al th read like
the bent string o f Love s bow o r a fi lam e n t from the l otus
’
grove of the pool o f penance in o n e hand he bore a

p itc h er like a kesara fruit with its stalk ; in the other a
crystal rosary strung a s it were with the tears o f Rati
,
wailing in grief for Love s d eath ( 2 8 1 ) His l oins were girt

’
.
with a m u fi j a grass gird l e a s though he had assumed a

'
-
,
1
T h e Comm e n t ar y s ays A ho u s e i s wh i t e n e d to w e l com e an yo n e .
T h e f ac e ( o r mo u th ) i s t h e d we ll i n g of S ar a sv at i .
’
1 05
ha l o having outvied the sun by his i nnate splendour ; the

,
o ffi c e of vesture wa s performed by the bark of the heavenly
cora l tree bright a s the pink eyelid of an o ld partridge

-1
, ,
and wa shed in the waves o f the heavenly Gange s ; he was

the ornament o f a scetic l ife the youthfu l grace of holines s , ,
the delight of Sara svati the chosen lord of all the sciences , ,
and the meeting place o f: al l divine tradition H e had like

- .
,
the summer season his ash fidh a he had like a winter

2 3
, ,
wood the brightness o f opening millet and he had l ike the

, ,
month o f honey a face adorned with white tilaka ,

4
With .
him there was a youthfu l ascetic gathering fl o we r s to

worship the gods his equal in age and a friend worthy o f ,
him s elf .
( 28 2 ) Then I saw a wondrous s pray of fl o we r s which

decked his ear like the bright smile o f woodland Gri j oying
,
in the sight o f spring or the grain o ff ering of the honey ,

-
month welcoming the Malaya winds or the youth o f the ,

’
Lakshm i of fl o we rs o r t h e cowrie that adorns L ove s ,
el e phant it wa s wooed by the bees ; the Pleiads lent it

their grace ; and its honey wa s nectar Surely I .
,
decided this is the fragrance which makes all other

,
fl o we r s scentless ” an d gazing at the youthful asc e tic the

, ,
thought arose in my mind Ah how lavish is t h e Creator ,
who has skill to produce the highest perfection o f form for

5
,
he has compounded K a ma of all miraculous beauty excel ,
ling the universe and yet has created this ascetic even ,
more fair surpassing him like a second love god born of

, ,
-
,
3
enchantment ( 2 8 3) Methink s that when Brahm a made
.
’
the moon s orb to gladden the world and the lotuses to be ,
’
Lakshmi s palace o f delight he wa s but practising to gain ,
s kill for the creation of this ascetic s face ; why else should ’
s uch things be created ? S urely it is false that the sun

1
M n da o n e o f t h e t e s o f P di s
a ra , re ar a e
T h mo n th J n —J ly
.
2
e u S t ff
e u .
3
a .
( ) A til k m k of sh e s ; ( b) b n d n c of til k t e s whi t e

4
a a a, o r ar a a u a e a a re
wi th b l ossoms .
5
R dK cl y
ea au a as a.
3 C
f D ul c
. di m n t m m e dit n t i li l i q on d m n t
e ru e c m s s u a s a u a a ur az , u e e
opera d m jo
a p t — R pi n n t h co n vol v l s V H ll m
a ra ar ar e .
’
a , o e u u . . a a ,
Hi st of
. Pt i h . v .
, c . v.
106
with i ts ray S u sh um n a drinks all the digits o f the moon a s

1
it wanes in the dark fortnight for their beam s ar e cast ,
down to enter this fair form How otherwise could there .
be such grace in o n e who lives in weary penanc e beauty s ,

’
destroyer ? ” As I thus thought L ove beauty s fi rm ’

, ,
adherent who knows not good from ill and who is ever at
, ,
hand to the young enthralled me together with my sigh s

, , ,
as the madness o f spring takes captive the bee Then .
with a right eye gazing steadily the eyelash e s half closed , ,
t h e iris darkened by the pupil s tremulous side l ong glance

’
I looked l ong o n him With this glance I a s it wer e

‘
.
, ,
drank him i n besought him told him I was wh olly his

, , ,
o ff ered my heart tried to enter into him with my whole

,
sou l sought to be absorbed in him imp l ored his protection

, ,
to save Love s victim showed my suppliant state that

’
a sked for a place in his h e art ; ( 2 8 4 ) and though I asked
myself What is this shameful feeling that has arisen in m e

, ,
un seem ly and unworthy a noble maiden yet knowin g

this I could n o t ma ster mys e lf but with great di ffi c u lt y
, ,
stood fi rm ga zing at him F or I seemed to be paraly z ed

, .
,
o r in a picture or scattered a b road or bound o r in a

, , ,
trance and yet in wondrous wise upheld a s though

, ,
when my l imbs were failin g s upport wa s at the same ,
moment given ; f o r I know not h o w one can be certain

in a matter that can neither be told n or taught and ,
that is not capab l e o f being to l d f o r it is only learnt ,
from within Can it be ascertained a s presented by hi s

.
beauty or by my own mind or by love o r by youth o r

, , ,
a ff ection or by any other causes ? I cannot tell L ifted

, .
up and dragged towards him by my senses led forward by ,
my heart urged from behin d by Love I yet by a strong

, ,
eff ort restrained my impulse ( 2 8 5 ) Straightway a storm .
o f sighs went forth unceasingly prompte d by Love a s he ,
strove to fi n d a place within me ; and my bo s om heaved
as longing to speak earnestly to my heart and then I ,
thought to myself : What an unworthy action is this of

V ile K a ma who surrenders me to this cold a scetic free from
,
1
V i sh n u P ar an a W i l so n 1 8 6 5 vo l u p 2 9 7
, , , . .
, . .
1 08
ro s e o n his cheek l ike a s econd gar l and hanging from his

,
ear his eyes a s his pupils dilated and his glance widened
,
in the j oy of beholding me turned the spot to a very lotus ,
grove so that the ten regions were fi lle d by the long rays
,
coming forth like masses o f O pen lotuses that had o f their

own a ccord left the A c c h o d a lake and were rising to
the sky .
B y the manifest change in him my love was redoubled ,
and I fell that moment into a state I cannot describe all ,
unworthy o f my cast e ”
Surely I r e fl e c t e d K a ma h im
.
, ,
self teaches this play of the eye though general ly after a ,
long happy love else whence comes this a scetic s gaz e ?

,
’
( 2 8 8 ) For his min d is unversed in the mingled feelin gs o f

earthly j oys and yet his eyes though they have never
, ,
learnt the art pour forth the stream o f love s sweetnes s

,
’
rain nectar are half closed by j oy are slow with distress

, , ,
heavy with sleep roaming with pupil s tremu l ou s and

,
languid with the weight o f gladness and yet bright with ,
t h e play o f his eyebrows Wh ence comes this e x ceedin g

.
ski l l that tells the heart s l onging word l e ssly by a glance

’
alone 2 ”
Impelled by these thoughts I a dvanced and bowing ,
to the second young a scetic his companion I asked , ,
What is the name o f his Reverence ? O i what a scetic is

he the son 2 From what tree is this gar l and woven 2 F o r
its scent hitherto unknown an d o f rare sweetne s s kindles
, , ,
great curiosity in me ” .
With a slight smile he replied Maiden what need s

, ,
this question 2 B ut I wil l enlighten thy curiosity Listen .
“ ‘
There dwells in the world o f gods a great s age ,
ve t ake t u ;
Q his noble character is famed through the
universe ; his feet are honoured by bands o f siddhas god s , ,
and demons ; ( 2 8 9 ) his beauty exceeding that o f Nala ,
kfi b ara ,
1
is dear t o the three worlds and gladden s the ,
hearts o f goddesses Once upon a t i me when seeking

.
,
l otuses f o r the worship of the god s he went down to the ,
Heavenly Ganges which lay white a s i a s smile while

,
’
,
1
Son of K v e u r a.
9
its water wa s studded a s with peacocks eyes by the ichor of ’
A ir f wat a Straightway Lakshmi enthroned o n a thousand

.
,
petal l ed white lotus close b y beheld him coming down ,
among the fl o we r s and looking o n him she drank in his

, ,
beauty with eyes half closed by love and quivering with ,
weight o f j oyous tears and with her slender fi n ge r s laid ,
on her softly opening lips and her heart was disturbed by

-
L ove ; by her glance alone she won his a ff ection A son .
wa s born and taking him in her arm s with the words

, ,
‘
Take him f o r he i s thin e she gave him to Qve t ake t u
, ,
’
who performed al l the rites of a son s birth and calle d him ’

,
P un d ari ka because he wa s born in a p u n d ari ka lotus

, .
Moreover after initiation he led him through the whole

, ,
circle o i the arts ( 2 9 0) This is P u n d ari ka whom you see

. .
1
And this spray comes from the p a rij a ta tree which rose ,
when the Milky Ocean was churned by gods and demons .
How it gained a place in his ear contrary to his vow I ,
will now tell This being the fourt eenth day o f the month
.
,
he started with me from heaven to worship i a who had ,
gone to Kai l a sa O n the way near the N an d an a Wood a

.
, ,
nymph drunk with the j uice o f fl o we rs wearing fresh

, ,
mango shoots in her ear veiled completely by garlands ,
falling to the knees girt with kesara fl o we r s and restin g

, ,
o n the fair hand lent her by the L aksmi of spring took ,
this spray of p a rij a ta and bending low thus addressed , ,
P un d ari ka : Sir let I pray this thy form that gladdens

, , , ,
the eyes o f the universe have this spray as its fi t t i n g ,
adorn ment let it be placed on the tip o f thy ear for it ,
has but the p l ayfu l ness that belongs to a garland ; let the
birth of the p érij fit a now reap its full blessing ! A t her ’
word s his e yes were cas t down in modesty at the praise he

‘
so wel l d e served and he turned to depart without r e garding

,
her ; but a s I saw her following u s I said What is t h e , ,
harm friend Let her courteous gift be accepted and so

, .
by force again st his will the S pray adorns his ear Now
, , .
all ha s been told : who he is wh ose son and what this , ,
fl o we r is an d h o w it has been rais e d to his ear

”
, ( 29 1 ) .
1
T h e co r al t re e .
1 10
When he had thus spok e n P u n d ari ka said to me with a ,

‘
slight smile : Ah curious maiden why didst thou take

“
, ,
the trouble to a sk thi s 2 If the fl o we r with its sweet scent

”
, ,
please thee do thou a ccept i t an d a dvancing he took it

, , ,
from his o wn c ar an d placed it in mine a s though with , ,
the soft murmur o f t h e bees o n i t it were a prayer for love , .
A t onc e in my eagerness to touch his hand a thrill arose

, ,
in me like a second p arij ét a fl o we r where the garland lay ;

, ,
while h e in the pleasure of touching my cheek did not

, ,
see that from his tremulous fi nge r s he had dro pped his
rosary at the same time a s his timidity ; but before it
reached the groun d I seiz ed i t and p l ayfully plac e d it o n ,
my neck where i t wore the grace o f a necklace unlike all

,
others while I learnt the j oy o f having my neck clasped

, ,
as it were by his arm ,

.
As o ur hearts w e re th us occupied with each other my ,
umbrella bearer addressed me : Princess the Queen has

-
“
,
bathed It is nearl y time to go home Do thou therefore

. .
, ,
also bathe A t her words l ike a new l y caught elephant

.
,
-
,
rebellious at the fi r st touch o f the new hook I was un ,
willingly dragged a way and a s I went down to bathe I , ,
could hardly withdraw my eyes for they seemed to be ,
drowned i n the ambrosial beauty o f his face or caught in ,
the thicket o f my thrilling cheek o r pinned down by Love s ,

’
1
shafts o r sewn fast by the cords o f his charms
,
.
( 2 9 2 ) Meanwhile the second young a scetic

,
see i ng ,
that he was l osing his s e lf contro l gently upbraided him -

,
“
Dear P u n d ari ka this is unworthy o f thee This is the
, .
way trodden by common men F or the good are rich in .
self control Why dost thou like a man of lo w caste fail

-
.
, ,
to restrain the turmoil o f thy sou l ? Whence comes this

hitherto unknown a ssault o f the senses which so trans ,
forms th e e ? Where is thine old fi rm n e ss ? Where thy

conquest o f the senses 2 Wh ere thy s elf control ? Wher e -
thy calm o f mind thine inherited holiness thy care l ess

, ,
ness o f earthly things ? Where the teaching of thy guru ,
thy le a rning of the V edas thy reso l ves o f a sceticism thy , ,
1
O r, v i tu e
r .
112
palace I dism i ssed my fr i en d s at the door and shut o ut

, ,
my attendants and then putting aside all my occupations

, , ,
I stood alone with my face against the j ewelled w indo w I .
gazed at the region which in its possess i on o f hi m wa s , ,
richly decked endowed with great treasur e o ve rfl o we d

, ,
by the o cean o f nectar adorned with the rising o f the full

,
moon and most fair to behold I longed to a sk his doings

,
.
even of the bree z e wa i ted from thence or of the scent o f the ,
woodland fl o we r s or o f the s ong o f the birds ( 2 9 5 ) I

, .
envied even the toils of penance for his de votion to t hem .
F or his sake in the blind adherence o f love I took a vo w

, ,
of silence I attribut e d grace to the ascetic garb because

.
,
he accept e d i t beauty to youth because he owned it charm

, ,
to the p arij éi t a flower because it touched his ear delight to ,
heaven beca use he dwelt there and invincible power to ,
l ove beca use he wa s so fair Though far away I turned .

,
towards him as the lotus bed to the sun the tide to the -
,
moon o r t h e peacock to the cloud I bore o n my neck his

, .
rosary like a charm against the loss of the life stricken by

,
his absence I stood motionless though a thrill ma de the

.
,
down on my cheek like a kadamba fl o we r ear ring a s it -

,
rose from the j oy o f being touched by his hand and from ,
the p ari j ét a spray in my ear which spoke sweetly to me ,
o f him .
N ow my bete l bearer Taralik é had been with me to

-
, ,
bathe ; she came back after me rather late and softly ,
a ddressed me in my sadness : Princess o n e o f those god ,
lik e asc e tic s we saw o n the bank of Lake A c c h o da

he by whom this spray of the heav e nly tree wa s placed in
—
thy ear as I wa s following thee e l uded the glance o f his ,
other self and approaching me with soft steps between t h e

,
branches of a fl o we rin g creeper a sked me concerning thee , ,
saying Dam sel who is this maiden 2 Whose daughter is

, ,
she ? What is h e r name ? An d whither goes she 2 I ’
replied : She is spru n g from Gauri an Apsara s of the

‘
,
moon race and h e r father Hamsa is king of all the Gand

,
h arvas ; the nails of his feet are burnished by t h e tips of

t h e j ewelled aigrettes o n the turban s of all the Gandharvas
113
his tree like arms are marked by the cosmetics o n the

-
cheeks of his Gand harva wives and the lotus hand of ,

-
Lakshmi forms his footstoo l The princ e ss is named .
M ah acve t a and she has set out now for the hil l of
,
H e m akfi t a the abode o f the Gandharva s

’
.
,
When this tale had been told by me he thought

“
,
silently for a mom e nt and then looking long at me with a ,
steady gaze a s i t gently entreating me he said : Damsel

, , ,
thy form young as thou art is o f fair promise and augurs

, , ,
truth and steadfastness Grant me therefore one request .

, ,
.
’
Courteously raising my hands I reverently replied : ( 2 9 7 ) ,
‘
Wher e fore say this ? Who am I ? When great souled -
men such a s thou meet for the honour of the who l e ,
universe deign to c ast ev e n their sin removing glance on

,
-
o n e like m e their act wins merit ,

— much mor e if they give a
command Say therefore freely what is to be done
.
, , .
Let m e be hono ured by thy bidding .

’
Thus addr e ssed he saluted me with a kind l y glance , ,
a s a friend a helper or a giver o f life ; and taking a

, ,
shoot from a tam a la tree hard b y b e crushed it o n the -

,
stones o f the bank broke o ff a piece from his upper bark ,
garment as a tabl e t and with the tam ala j uice sweet a s ,

-
,
the ichor o f a gandha elephant wrote with the nail o f t h e ,
l ittle fi n ge r o f h i s lotus hand and placed it in my hand -

, ,
say i ng Let this letter be secretly given by thee to that

,
maiden when alone With these words she drew it from

.
’
the betel bo x and showed it to me

- .
As I took from her hand that bark letter I wa s

‘
,
fi lle d with this talk about him which though but a sound , , ,
produced the j oy o f contact and though f o r the ears a l one , ,
had its pervading presence in al l my limbs manifested by a

thrill a s if it were a spel l to invoke L ove 5 and in his l etter
,
1
I beheld these lines
A h ams a o n t h e M i n as l ak e l u r e d by a c r e e p e r s t r e ach e r o u s sh i n e
’
, ,
My h e ar t i s le d a we ary ch as e lu e d by th at p e arl y wre at h of thin e ,

2
r .
1
I n t h e i r y zi e r e , ln t h e
'
an m t
ri S sk t .
2
M an a si j a n m a = ( a ) rn i n t h e ama a l a bo M s '
k e ; ( b) bo rn in t h e
m d in , t e , l e
. . ov
M u kt ala t a = ( a ) a
. i e re e e r ; wh t c p ( )
b a p e ar l n e ckl ac e .
8
1 14
( 98)
2 By
the reading of this an even greater chang e ,
for the worse was wrought in my lovesick mind as in o n e ,
w ho has lost his way by also losing his bearings ; a s in a

,
blin d man by a night of the dark fortnight ; a s i n a dumb

,
man by cutting out t h e tongue ; as in an ignorant man

, ,
by a conj uror s waving fan a s in a confused talker by the

’
,
de l irium o f fever ; a s in one poison e d by the fatal sleep ; ,
a s in a wicked man by atheistic philosophy ; a s in o n e ,
distraught by strong drink ; o r a s in o n e possessed by t h e

, ,
action of the possessing d e mon ; so that in the turmoil

it created in me I was tossed like a river in fl ood
,
I .
honoured T arali ka for having s e en him again as o n e who ,
had acquired great merit or who had tasted t h e j oys o f ,
heaven or had been Visited by a god o r had h e r highest

, ,
boon granted o r had drunk nectar o r had been anointed

, ,
queen of the three worlds I spoke to her rever e nt l y a s i i .

, ,
though always by me sh e were a rare visitant and though , ,
my familiar friend she were hitherto unknown I looked

, .
o n her though behind me a s above the world ; I tenderly

, ,
caressed t h e cur l s on her cheek and entirely set at nought ,
the condition of mistress an d maid again and again ,
a sking ( 2 9 9 ) H o w was he seen by thee 2 What did he say

,
to thee 2 How long wert thou there 2 How far did he follow
us 2
” And shutting o u t al l my attendants I spent the
, ,
whole day with her in the palace list e ning to that tal e ,
.
The sun s o rb hanging in the sky became crimson sharing

’
,
my heart s glow t h e L akshm i of sunlight longing f o r the

’
sight of the fl u sh e d sun and pr e paring her lotus couch ,

-
,
turned pale a s though faint with love the sunbeams rosy ,
a s they fell o n waters dyed with red chalk rose from the ,
lotus bed s clustering like h e rds of woodland e lephants ; t h e

-
day with an echo of the j oyous neighing of the steeds o f

,
the sun s chariot longing to rest after their descent o f the

’
sky entered the caves of Mount Meru ; the l otus beds as

,
-
,
the bees enter e d the folded l eav e s o f the red lilies seemed ,
to c l ose their eyes a s though their hearts w e re darken e d by

a swoon at the sun s departure ; t h e pairs of c akr av akas
’
,
each taking the other s heart safely hidden in the hollow ’
,
-
1 16
It was in thy presence that I sternly rebuked Pun

dari ka and after that speech I left him in anger and went
,
t o another place leaving my task o f gatherin g fl o we r s

,
.
After thy departure I remained apart a short time ( 3 0 2 )

, ,
and then becoming a n xious a s to what he was doing I

, ,
turned back and e xamined the spot from behind a tree .
As I did n o t see him there th e thought arose within me , ,
His mind wa s enslaved by love and perchance h e fo l ,
lowed her ; and n o w that she is gone he has regained his ,
sense s and is a shamed to come within my sight ; o r he

,
has gone from me in wrath o r departed hence to another ,
p l ace in search of me Thus thinking I waited som e .

’
time but troub l ed by an absence I had never sinc e my

, ,
birth su ffe red f o r a moment I again thought It may be , ,
that in shame at his failure in fi rm n e ss h e will come to

, ,
some h arm ; for shame makes everything possible ; he

must not then be left alone , With this reso l ve I
, .
’
earnestly made search for him But a s I could not see .
him though I sought o n all sides made anxious by l ove

, ,
f o r my friend I pictured this o r that misfortune and

, ,
wandered long e x amining glades o f trees creeper bowers

, ,
among t h e sandal avenues and the banks o f lakes care , ,
fully glancing on every side ( 30 3) A t l ength I beheld him .
in a thicket o f creepers near a lake a very birthplace for ,
S pring most fair and in its close growth app e aring to be

, ,
made wholly o f fl o we r s of bees of c uckoos and o f peacocks

, , ,
.
From his entire absence o f employment he wa s a s o n e ,
pa i nted or engraved or paraly z ed o r dead o r a sleep o r

, , , , ,
in a tranc e of meditation ; he was motionless yet wander ,
ing from his right course ; alone yet possessed by L ove ; ,
all aglow yet raising a pallid fac e abs e nt minded yet

,
-
,
giving his love a place within him silent and yet telling ,
a tale o f Love s great woe seated o n a stone ye t standing

’
in face of death H e wa s tormented by K a ma who yet in

.
, ,
fear o f m any a curse remained unseen B y his great ,

.
stil l ness he appeared to be deserted by the senses which

had entered into him to behold the l ove that dwelt in h i s
h eart and had fainted in fear at its unbearable heat o r
, ,
1 17
had left him in wrath at the tossing o f his mind From .
eyes steadi ly closed and dimmed within by the smoke o f

,
Love s keen fi re he ceaselessly poured forth a storm o f

’
tears trickling down through his eyelashes ( 30 4) The .
fi lam e n t s o f the creepers near trembled in the sighs which

rushed o u t bearing the redness of his lips like the u p
,
starting ruddy fl am e o f K a ma burning his heart As his .
hand rest e d o n his left cheek his brow from the clear rays
, ,
o f his nails rising upwards seemed to have a fresh mark

,
o f sandal very pure ; from the late removal o f his earring ,
the p a rij a ta fl o we r his ear was endowed with a tam ala

,
shoot o r a blue l otus by th e bees that murmured a charm

to bewitch love under the guise o f their soft hum a s they
,
crept up in longing for what remained o f that fragrance .
Under the guise of his hair rising in a passionate thril l he

s e emed to bear o n his limbs a mass o f broken points o f the
fl o we ry darts o f L ove s arrows discharged into his pores
’
.
With his right hand h e bore on his breast a string o f pear ls

that by being interlaced with the fl ash in g rays o f his nails
, ,
seemed bristling in j oy at the plea sure o f touching his

palm and that was a s it were a banner o f recklessness
, , ,
. .
H e was pelted by the trees with pollen like a powder to ,
subdue Love ; h e wa s caressed by acoka shoots tossed by

the wind and transferring to hi m their rosy glow he wa s
,
besprinkled by woodland L akshmi with honey dew from -
clusters o f fr e sh fl o we r s like waters to cro wn L ove ; he

,
wa s struck by Love with c am p ak buds which as th e ir , ,
fragrance was drunk in by bees were l ike fi e ry barb s al l ,
smoking ; ( 30 5 ) he wa s rebuked by the south wind a s if ,
by the hum of the bees maddened by the many scent s o f

the wood ; he was bewildered by the honey month as by -
,
cries of All hail ! to Spring raised by the cuckoos in

‘ ’
their melodious ecsta sy Like the risen moon he wa s

.
,
robed in palen e ss ; like the stream o f Ganges in summer ,
he had dwindled to meagreness ; like a sandal tree with a -
fi re at its heart he wa s fading away

, H e seemed to have .
entered on another birth and was a s another man s trange

, ,
and unfamiliar ; he wa s changed into another shape A s .

1 18
o ne entered by an evil spirit ruled by a great demon pos , ,
sessed by a strong devil drunk de l uded blind deaf dumb , , , , , ,
all merged in j o y and lov e he had reached the climax of ,
the mind s slavery wh e n possessed by L ove and his o ld

’
self could no long e r be kno w n .
As with a steady glance I long examined his sad

state I became despondent and thought in my trembling
, ,
heart : This is o f a truth that L ove whose forc e none can

resist for by him P u n d ari ka has been in a moment
brought to a state for which ther e is no cure For how .
e l se could such a storehouse o f learnin g become straight

way unavailing 2 ( 3 0 6 ) It is alas ! a miracle in him who ,
from childhood has been fi rm o f nature and uns w erving in

conduct and whose life was the e nvy of myself and the
,
other young ascetics Here like a mean man despising .

, ,
knowledge contemning the po wer o f penance h e has

, ,
rooted up his de e p steadfastness and is paralyzed by L ove ,

.
A youth which has never swerv e d is indeed rare I w e nt

forward and sitting down by him o n the same stone
, ,
with my hand resting o n his shoulder I a sked him though , ,
his eyes were still c l osed : Dear P u n d ari ka tell me what ,
thi s mean s Then with gr eat di ffi c u lt y and e ffort he

.
’
opened his eyes which seemed fast e ned togeth e r by their

,
long closin g and which were red from incessant weeping

,
and o ve rfl o wi n g with tears a s if shaken and in pain while ,
their colour was that o f a red lotus bed veiled in white silk - .
H e look e d at m e long with a very l anguid glance and then , ,
de e ply sighing in accents broken by shame he slowly and

, ,
with pain murmured Dear K ap i fi j ala why a sk m e what ,
thou knowest 2 Hearing this and thinking that Pun

’
dari ka was su ff ering in this way a cureless ill but that still , ,
as far a s possible a fri e nd who is e nterin g a wrong course

,
should be held ba ck to the utmost by those wh o love him ,
I replied : Dear P u n d ari ka I know it well ( 30 7 ) I w ill

‘
, .
only a sk this question : Is this course you have begun

taught by your gu rus o r read in the holy books 2 o r is this
,
a way o f winning holin e ss o r a fresh form of penance or , ,
a path to heaven o r a mystic v o w o r a mean s of salvation

, , ,
1 20
else in t h e world is a friend like the e 2 What ails m e that

I cannot restrain myself 2 Thou sawest in a moment my
wretch e d plight The time then for advice is now past
.
, ,
.
( 30 9 ) While I breathe I long for som e cure f o r the f e ver of

,
love viol e nt a s the rays of tw e lve suns at the end o f the

,
1
world My limbs are baked my h e art is seething my

.
, ,
eyes are burning and my body on fi re Do therefore

,
.
, ,
He then becam e si l ent and

’
what the tim e demands .
,
after this speech I tried again and again to rous e him but
a s he did n o t listen even when tenderly and a ffectionately
e xhorted in the words o f the pure teaching of the c a stras
full o f cases like his own together with the l e g e ndary ,
histories I thought H e is gone too far ; h e cannot be

, ,
‘
turned back Advice is now useless so I will make an

.
,
e ff ort j ust to preserve his life With this reso l ve I rose .

’
an d went and tore up some j uicy lotus fi b re s from the lake ;

,
-
then taking some l otus petals marked by wat e r I plucked

,
-
,
lotuses o f all kinds sweet with t h e fragrance of the ,
aromatic pollen within and prepared a couch o n that same ,
rock in the bow e r And as he rested there at ea se

. I
crushed soft twigs o f t h e sandal tre e s hard b y and with its -
,
j uice naturally sweet and cold a s ice mad e a mark o n his

, ,
brow and anointed him from h e ad to foot I allayed the

, .
perspiration by camphor dust powdered in my hand broken -

,
from the interstices o f the split bark of the trees near and ,
fanned him with a plantain leaf dripping with pure water -

,
w hile the bark robe he wore w a s moist with the sandal

placed on his breast and a s I again and again strewed
fresh lotus couches and anointed him with sandal and
, ,
r e moved the perspiration and constantly fanned him t h e , ,
thought arose in my mind S urely nothing is too hard f o r ,
L ove F or how far apart would seem P u n d ari ka by nature ,
simpl e and content with his woodland hom e like a fawn , ,
and M ah acve t é the Gandharva princes s a galaxy of graces

, ,
surely there is nothing for L ove in the world hard o r ,
di ffi c u lt o r unsubdued o r impossible
; H e scornfully , .
attempts the hardest tasks nor can any resist him For , .
1
Th e V i sh n P
u u r an a , Bk . V i . , oh . iii .
, m n ti on s s e v
e en s ns
u .
21
why speak o f beings endowed with s e nse when i f it so ,
please him he can bring together eve n things without

,
sense 2 For the night lotus b e d falls in love with the sun s -
’
ray and the day l otus leaves h e r hatred o f the moon and
,
-
,
night is j oined to day ( 3 1 1 ) and moon l ight waits on dark

,
ness and shade stands in the face of light and lightning

, ,
stays fi rm in the cloud and o ld age accompanies youth ; ,
and what more diffi c ult thin g can there b e than that o n e
like P u n d ari ka who is an ocean of unfathomable depth
, ,
should thus be brought to the lightness o f grass 2 Where

is his former penance and where his present state 2 Truly ,
it is a cureless ill that has befall e n him ! What must I

n o w do or attempt o r whither go o r what refuge o r
, ,
resource o r help o r remedy o r plan o r recourse is there

, , , ,
by which his life may b e sustained 2 D r by w hat skill o r ,
device or means o r support or thought o r solace may he

, , , , ,
yet live 2 These and oth e r such thoughts arose in my

’
downcast heart B ut again I thought What avails dwell

.
,
ing o n this us e les s thought ? His l ife must be pr e served

by any means good o r had ( 3 1 2 ) and there is n o other way
, ,
to save it b ut by her union with him ; and a s h e is timid

by reason of his youth and mor e ov e r thinks the a ff airs of ,
love contrary to his vo w uns e emly and a mockery in him , ,
s e lf h e certainly even at his last breath w ill not gratify

, , ,
his longing by hims e lf approaching h e r This his disease .
o f love admits n o d e lay Good m e n a l ways hold that a .
friend s lif e must be saved even by a blameworthy deed

’
so that though this is a shameful and wrong action it ha s ,
yet become imperative for me What else can be done ? .
What other course is there ? I will certainly go to her .
I will te l l her his state Thus thinking I left t h e place .

’
,
o n some pretext and came hither without telling him lest

, ,
perchance he should fe e l that I was engaged in an un

seemly employment and should in shame hold m e back ,
.
This being the state o f a ffairs thou lady art the j udg e o f , , ,
what action is needful for the time worthy o f so gr e at a ,
l ove fi t t in g f o r my coming and right f o r thyself

, With ,
.
these words he became silent fi xing his eyes o n my face to ,

1 22
'
see what I should say B ut I havin g h e ard him wa s .

, ,
plunged a s it were into a lake o f ambrosia l j oy o r

, , ,
imm e rsed in an ocean o f the sweets o f l ove fl o at i n g above ,
all j oys mounting to t h e pinnacle of all desir e s resting at

, ,
the utmost bound o f gladn e s s I showed my happiness by .
j oyful tears pouring clear large and h e avy b e cause my , , ,
e y e lashes wer e not clos e d strung like a garland by their

,
unceasing succ e ssion and not touching my cheek b e cause , ,
my face wa s som e what bent in sudd e n sham e ; ( 3 1 3 ) and I

thought at once 0 j o y that L ove entangl e s him a s well ,
a s m e so that eve n while tormenting m e he has in part

, ,
showed me kindness ; and if P u n d ari ka is indeed in such a

plight what help has not L ove given me o r w hat has h e
, ,
not done for me o r what friend is lik e him or how could a

, ,
false tale even in sle e p pass the lips of t h e ca l m souled

, ,
-
K ap i fi j ala 2 A nd if this b e so what m ust I do and w hat , ,
must I say in his pr e senc e 2 ” While I wa s thus de

l iberating a portr e ss hastily ent e red and said to me
, ,
Princess the Q u e e n has learnt from h e r attendants that

,
thou art ill and is now coming , O n hearing this .

,
K ap i nj ala fearing t h e contact of a great throng quickly

, ,
rose saying : Princess a cause of gr eat delay has aris e n

, ,
.
The sun the crest j ewel o f the three worlds is now sinking
,
-
, ,
so I will depart B ut I raise my hands in salutation a s a

.
slight off ering f o r the saving o f my dear fri e nd s life ; that ’
is my greatest treasure ( 3 1 4 ) Then without awaiting my .

,
reply he with d iffi c u lt y departed for t h e door wa s blocked

, ,
by t h e entrance of the attendants th at heralded my L ady

Mother Ther e were t h e portresses bearing golden staves
.
the chamberlain s w ith ungu e nts cosmetics fl o we r s and , , ,
betel holding waving cowries ; and in their train were

,
hu m pbacks barbarians deaf men eunuchs dwarfs and

, , , , ,
deaf mutes .
Then the Queen came to m e and after a long visit , ,
went hom e ; but I obs e rve d nothing o f what she did said , ,
o r att e mpted while with me for my h e art wa s far away ,

.
When she went the sun with his steeds bright a s h ari t ala ,
pigeons lord of life to t h e lotuses and frien d of the

, ,
24
from hel l ; after that night became fair with the moon , ,
the gladdener o f the world o f mortals the d e light of ,
lovers now leaving its childhood behind and becoming the

,
ally o f Love with a youthfu l glow arising within i t the

, ,
only fi t t i n g light for the enj oyment o f Love s pleasures ’
ambrosial c l imbing the sky like youth impersonate Then

,
.
I beh e ld the risen moon as if fl u sh e d with the coral o f the

oc e an it had j ust left crimsoned with the blood o f its deer
,
struck by the paw o f t h e lion o f the E astern Mountain ,
mark e d with the lac of Ro h i ni s feet a s she spurned her

1 ’
lord in a l ove quarrel ( 3 1 7 ) and ruddy with his newly ,
kindled glow And I though the fi re o f Lov e burnt within

.
,
m e had my heart darkened ; though my body rested o n

,
the lap of Taralika I was a captive in the hands o f Love

,
though my eyes were fi xe d o n the moon I was l oo king o n ,
d e ath and I straightway thought

, There are the honey ,
“
month the Malaya winds and all other such things

, ,
brought together and in the same place to have this evi l

,
miscreant moon cannot be endured My h e art cannot bear .
it
. Its rising n o w is like a shower of coals to o n e consumed
by fever or a fall of snow to o n e ill from cold o r the bite
, ,
o f a black snake to o n e faint with t h e sw e lling of poison .
An d a s I thus thought a swoon closed my eyes l ike the , ,
sleep brought by moonlight that withers the lotuses of the

day Soon how e ver I regained consciousness by mean s of
.
, ,
t h e fanning and sandal unguents o f the bewildered Tara

lik a and I saw her weeping her face dimmed with cease
, ,
less tears pressing the point o f a moist moonstone to my

,
brow and seemin g possessed by despair impersonate As

,
.
I opened my eyes she f e ll at my feet and said raising h ands

, , ,
y e t wet with the thick sandal ointment : Princess why “

,
think o f shame or disr e spect to parents ? B e kind ; send

m e and I will fetch the beloved o f thy heart ; ( 31 8 ) ris e
, ,
o r go thither thyself Henceforth thou canst not bear this

.
2
Love that is an oc e an w hose manifold passionate waves
are swelling at t h e rise o f a strong moon To this speech .
1
T h e a e ri st sm Rohi ni .
2
U t ka li ka= ( ) w v ; a a e ( b) l on gi n g .
1 25
I replied : Mad girl what is love to me 2 T he moon it is

, ,
even the lord of the night lotuses who remov e s all scruples , ,
undermines al l search f o r means o f escape conceals all ,
d i ffi c u lt i e s takes away al l doubts contemns al l fears roots

, , ,
o u t all shame veils the sinful levity o f going myself to

,
my lover avoids al l delay and ha s come mer e ly to l e ad me

, ,
either to P u n dari ka o r to death Ris e th e refore ; f o r .

,
while I have life I will follow him and honour him who
”
,
dear a s he is tortures my heart

, Thus saying I rose .
, ,
leaning o n her for my limbs were yet unsteady with the

,
w e akness of the swoon caused by L ove and a s I rose my ,
right eye throbbed presaging ill and in sudden terror I

, ,
thought What new thin g is this threatened by Destiny 2

“
(31 9) The fi rm am e n t wa s n o w fl o o de d with moonlight ,

’
as if the moon s orb which had not yet risen far was like
, , ,
the wat e rp ip e o f the temple o f the universe discharging a ,
thousand str e ams o f the heavenly Ganges pouring forth ,
the waves of an ambrosial ocean shedding many a cascade ,
o f sandal j uice-
and bearing fl o o d s o f nectar ; the world
,
seemed to l earn what life was in the White Continent and ,
the pleasures of seeing the land of Soma the round earth

was being poured o u t from the depths of a Milky Oc e an by
the moon which was like the rounded tusk of t h e Great
,
'
B oar ; the moonrise o fi e rin gs were being presented in every

house by the women with sandal water fragrant with O p e n -
l otuses ; the highways were crowded with thousands of

women messengers sent by fair ladies ; girls going to meet
-
t h eir lovers ran hither and thither veiled in blue silk and ,
fl u t t e re d by the dread of the bright moonlight a s if they

were the nymphs of the white day lotus groves concealed
in the splendours o f the blue lotuses ; the sky became an
alluvial island in the river o f night with its centre ,
whitened by the thick po l len o f the groves o f O pen night

lotu ses ; while the night lotus beds in the house tanks - -
were waking encircled by bees which clung to every

,
blossom ; ( 3 2 0 ) the wor l d o f mortals was like the ocean , ,
unabl e to contain the j oy o f moonrise and seemed made o f ,
l ove o f festivity of mirth and o f tenderness : evening was

, , ,
1 26
pl e asant with the murmur o f peacocks g arrulous in gladness

at the c ascade that fell from the wat e rp i p e s of moonstone .
Tar ali ké accompanied me holdin g powd e rs perfumes , , ,
unguents bete l and various fl o we r s and I had also that

, , ,
napkin wet with the sandal ointment which had been

,
app l ied in my swoon and which ha d its nap slightly dis

,
ord e r e d and gray with t h e partly dried mark of sandal -
wood clinging to i t ; the rosary was o n my neck ; the

p a rij a ta spray was kissing the tip of my ear ; veile d in
red silk that seemed fashion e d from rays o f rubies I we nt ,
down from the top o f th at palace uns e e n by any o f my ,
d e voted attendants O n my way I wa s pursued by a swarm

.
o f bees which hastened l e aving lotus b e ds and des e rting

, ,
-
gardens drawn by the scent of the p arij ét a spray sportively

, ,
forming a blue v e il round me I d e parted through the .
door o f the plea sure grove and set out to meet P u n dari ka
-
.
( 3 2 1 ) As I went I thought seeing myself a ttend e d by

, ,
Tar ali ka only : What needs pomp o f r e tinu e when we

“
se e k o u r dearest ! Surely o u r s e rvants th e n but play a

mockery of attendance for L ove fol l ows m e with shaft ,
fi t t e d to the strung bow ; the moon stretching o u t a long ,
ray draws me o n lik e a hand ; pa ssion supports me at

,
1
every step from fear of a fall ; my heart rushes on with the

senses l eaving shame behin d ; longing has gained cer
,
tainty an d leads me o n ” A loud I said : Oh Tarali ka

, .
, ,
would that this miscreant moon would with its beams seiz e
him by the hair an d dra w him forward like myse l f As I
thus spoke she smilingly rep l ied : Thou art foolish my
,
“
,
princess ! What do e s the moon want with P u n d ari ka ?

Nay rather h e himself a s though wounded by Love does
, , , ,
all these things for thee f o r under t h e guise of his imag e

he kisses thy ch eeks marked with drops o f perspiration ;
with trembling ray he falls on thy fair breast ; he touch e s
the gems of thy girdle ; entangled in thy bright nails he ,
falls at thy feet ; moreov e r the form of this lovesick ,
moon wears the pallor o f a sanda l unguent dried by fever ;

( 3 22 ) he stretches out his rays white as l otus fi b re s ; under
2 -
1
O r h an d ,
2 H an ds
. .
128
Whence comes this thy great hardness ? Say whither , ,
without thee shall I go 2 Whom shall I 1m p lo r e 2 What

,
refug e shall I seek 2 I am blinded F o r m e space is

empty ! Life is aimless penance vain t h e world void o f
, ,
j oy ! With whom shall I wander to whom sp e ak with , ,
w hom hold converse 2 Do thou arise Grant me an

answer Friend where is thine old love to me ? Where
.
,
that smiling welcome that never fail e d me 2 ”

( 3 2 4 ) S uch wer e th e word s I heard K a i
p jfi ala utter ;
and a s I heard them I uttered a loud cry while yet far o ff , ,
as if my life had fallen and with my silk cloak torn a s it

clung to the creepers by the lake s bank and my f e et ’
placed o n the ground regardless o f its being rough o r e ve n ,
and a s hastily as I cou l d I went o n to that place stumbling

, ,
at every step and yet a s if led on by o n e who lifted me up

,
again .
There I beheld P u n dari ka lying o n a couch made on

a slab of moonstone wet with showers o f cool spray close to ,
t h e lake it was made of lotus fi b r e s like a garland o f tender

-
fl o we r s from al l li l ies and seemed to be formed wholly of

,
the points o f Love s arrows P u n d ari ka seemed from his

’
.
great stillness to be listening f o r the sound of my step .
H e seemed to have gained a moment s happiness in sleep

’
a s if L ove s pain had been quench e d by inward wrath ; h e

’
seemed engaged in a yoga penance of holding his breath ,
as an atonem e nt for his breach of ascetic duty ; he seemed

to murmur with bright yet trembling lip : B y thy deed
,
“
am I come to this pass H e seemed pierced by the moon

.
beams which under t h e guise o f his bright fi n ge r nai l s

,
-
placed o n a h e art throbbing with L ove s fi re fe l l o n his ’
back as he lay averted in hatr e d of the moon ( 3 2 5 ) H e .
bore a mark o n his brow of a l ine of sandal which by its , ,
being pale from dryn ess was like a digit of Love s waning
,
’
moon portending his o wn destruction Life seemed to lea ve .
him in anger saying : Fool another is dearer to thee than

, ,
I His eyes wer e not wholly closed ; th e ir pupils w ere

slightly turned to look ; they were re d with ceaseless weep
ing ; th e y seemed to drop blood since by failure o f breath ,
1 29
his tears were exhausted ; and they were partly curved in

pain at L ove s darts H e now experi e nc e d t h e pain of
’
.
unconsciousness a s if togeth e r with the torm e nt of love he

,
were also yielding lif e itself he se e med to m e ditat e a n e w

version of Love s myst e ry and to practise an unwont e d re
’
tention of br e ath His life seemed to be carried o ff as a

.
1
priz e by Love who had in kindnes s arranged my coming
,
.
O n his brow was a sandal t ri p u n d raka mark ; he wore a

sac ri fi c i al threa d of j uicy lotus fi b r e ; his dress clung to
-
his shoulder beautiful as the leaf: that ensheath e s a plantain ;

2
his rosary had only the thickness o f a single row ; the
ashes on his brow were of abundant white camphor powder -
he was fair with the string of lotus fi b r e bound on his arm -

,
as an amulet he se e med to wear the garb o f Love s vow ’
a s if completing a charm for my coming With his eye he .
tenderly utt e r e d the r e proach : Hard hearted ! I wa s but“

-
followed by one glance and never again received thy,
favour .
( 6 ) His lips were slightly open so that his
3 2 ,
form gl e amed white in the rays o f his teeth which came ,
forth a s if they were moonbeams that ha d e ntered him to

take a w ay his life ; with his left hand placed o n a hear t
breaking with t h e pain o f love he seemed to say : B e ,
“
kind depart not with my life thou that art dear a s life
, ,
and so to hold me fi rm ly in his heart his right hand ,
which from the uneve n rays o f his nail s j utting forth

seemed to drop sandal was raised as if to ward o ff the
,
moonlight ; near him stood his pitcher t h e friend o f hi s ,
penance with n e ck upright a s if it ga z ed at t h e path by

, ,
which his lif e was j ust rising t h e garland o f lo tus fi b r e s -
which ado rned his n e ck bound him as if with a rope o f

moonb e am s to l e ad him to another world ; and when at ,
the sight of me K ap ifi j ala with a cry of Help help

, ,
“
,
raised his hands and crying aloud with redoubled tears

, ,
fell on his neck at that v e ry moment I wicked and ill

, ,
fated as I wa s beheld that nobl e youth yi e ld up his life

,
.
Th e darkness of a swoon came upon m e and I d e scended ,
1
P ar n ap d t r a a b ask e t of gi fts to b e sc r amb l e d f o r at a we dd i n g
, .
2
I e t h e r o w of p e arl s gi v e n by M ah é cy e t a
. .
, .
1 30
into hell nor knew I anything of whither I th e n w e nt or ,
what I did or said N either kn e w I why my life did not at

.
that moment l e ave m e ( 3 2 7 ) w hether from t h e utter hard

n e ss of my st u p e fi e d h e art or from the callousn ess to bear
'
thousands o f troubl e s o f my wretched body or from being ,
fated to endure a long gri e f or fr o m b e ing a vessel o f e vil

,
earned in another birth o r from the skill of my cruel

,
destiny in bestowing sorrow or from t h e singular perversity

,
of malign accursed love Only this I kno w : that when at

.
length in my misery I regained consciousn e ss I found ,
myself writhing on t h e ground tortured a s if I had fallen , ,
o n a fi r e by a grief too hard to bear

, I could not b e lieve .
aught so impossible a s that h e should die and I yet live ,
—
and rising with a bitt e r cry o f A las w h at is this mother , ,
”
father friends 2 I exclaim e d : Ah my Lord thou w ho “
, , ,
upholdest my lif e speak to me ! Whith e r goest thou

, ,
pitil e ssly leaving me alone and protectorless ? Ask Tara

lik a what I have su fi e re d for thy sak e Hardly have I .
been able to pa ss the day drawn out into a thousand ages

,
.
B e gracious ! Utter but one w ord ! Show t e ndern e ss to

h e r that loves the e L ook but a littl e o n me F u lfi l my
longing ! I am wretched ! I am loyal ! I am thine in
heart ! I am lordl e ss ! I am young ! I am helpl e ss ! I
am unhappy ! I am bereft o f other refug e ! I am van
q u i sh e d by Love Why sh o we st thou no pity 2 Say what
I have done or left undon e what command I have n e glected
, ,
o r in what thing pl e asing to thee I hav e not sho wn a ff ection ,
that thou art wroth ( 3 2 8 ) F e arest thou not the r e proach

.
o f men in that thou goest des e rting m e thy handmaid

, , ,
without cause ? Yet why think o f me p e rv e rs e and w ick e d , ,
and skilled to deceiv e by false shows of love ! A las I yet ,
live Alas I am accurs e d and undon e

, F o r why 2 I
have neither th e e nor honour nor kinsfolk n o r h e aven
, , , .
Shame on m e a worker of evil deeds for whose sake this

, ,
fate hath befallen thee There is none of so murderous a

.
heart a s I who went home leaving one so p e erless a s thou

, .
What to me were home mother father kinsfolk followers ?

, , , ,
Ala s to what r e fuge shall I fl e e 2 Fate show pity to me !

, ,
1 32
again to taste the bitt e rness of that form e r plight so cruel , ,
and so hardly e ndured and a swoon ber e ft her of sense ,

.
In the force of her swoon she fell on the rock and ,
Can d r fipi d a hastily stretched o u t his hand like her servant , ,
and supported her full o f sorrow A t l e ngth h e brought

, .
her back to consciousness by fanning h e r with the edge of

her o wn bark garment we t with tears Filled with pity , .
,
and with his ch e e ks bathed in tears h e said to her a s she , ,
cam e to life : Lady it is by my fault that thy grief has

‘
,
been brought back to its fi r st freshness and that thou h ast ,
come to this pa ss Therefore no more o f this tal e Let it

. .
be ended E v e n I cannot bear to h e ar i t F o r the story

. .
even o f past sorrow endured by a friend pain s a s as if we

ourselves were living through i t 1
Thou wilt not there .
fore surely plac e on the fi re o f grief that life so precious

and so hardly preserved 2 ( 3 3 1 ) Thus address e d with a ’
long hot sigh and eyes dissolve d in tears she despairingly

, ,
replied : Prince even in that dreadful night my hated life

,
2
did not desert me ; it is not likely that it will leave me
now E ven blessed Death turn s a w ay his eyes fr om one
.
so ill fated and wicked Whence could one so hard heart e d

-
.
-
feel grief 2 all this can be but f e igned in a n ature so Vil e .
B ut be that a s it may that shamel e ss heart ha s mad e me

,
chief among the shameless F o r to one so adamantine a s .
to have s e e n love in all his power and yet to have lived ,
through this w hat can mere speaking of it matter ?

,
O r what could there be hard e r to tell than this very

thing which is supposed to be impossibl e to hear or say ?
,
I will at least brie fl y t e ll the marv e l that followed on that

thund e rbolt and I will tell too what came as a tiny dim
, , ,
cause of my prolonging my lif e which by its mirage so ,
deludes me that I h e ar abo u t a h ated body almost dead , ,
alien to m e burdensome u n fi t t e d to my n e eds and thank

, , ,
l es s for my care That shall su ffic e Afterwards in a

. .
,
sudden change of feeling with resolve fi rm ly set on death

3
, ,
lamenting bitterly I cried to T ar ali ka: ,

Rise cruel ,
1
O mi t p r i y aj an avi cvasa va c a an i
,
n
2
R e a d p a m t ya kt a .
,
’
3
R d ea , a n t ar e .
1 33
hearted girl ; how long wilt thou w e e p ? Bring together

wood and mak e a pil e I w ill follo w t h e lord of my
.
life.
b
’
( 33 2 ) Straightway a being swiftly left th e moon s o r
and d e sc e nd e d from t h e sky B e hind him he trailed a silken .
vestur e hanging from his cres t w h ite a s the foam o iz n e ctar , ,
and waving in t h e wind his cheeks were r e ddened w ith the

bright gems that s w ay e d in his e ars on his breast he bore
a radiant necklac e from the size o f its pearls like a cluster
,
o f stars his turban wa s tied with strips of white silk ; his

head was thick with curling locks and dark a s bees ; his ,
earring was an op e n moon lotus ; o n his shoulder w as the

impress o f t h e sa ff ron lin e s that adorned his w ives ; he
was white as a moon lotus lofty in statur e endow e d with , ,
all the marks of greatness and godlike in form ; h e seemed ,
to purify spac e by the light shed round him clear as pure

wat e r and to anoint it a s by a thick frost with a de w y
,
ambrosial sho w er that created a chill as h e shed it from

his limbs cool and fragrant and to b e sprinkle it with a
, ,
1
rich stor e of go ci r sh a sandal j u ice -
.
With arm s sturdy as t h e trunk of A i rav at a and fi n ge r s ,
whit e a s lotus fi b r e s and cool to the touch h e lift e d my

-
,
d e ad lord ( 3 3 3 ) and in a voic e d e e p a s a drum he said to

, , ,
me : M ah acv e t a my child thou must not d i e ; for thou

, ,
shalt again b e unit e d with him 1 ” And with thes e w ords ,
t e nd e r a s a fath e r s he fl e w into the sky with P u n d ar i ka

’
,
.
But this sudd e n e v e nt fi lle d m e with fear dismay , ,
and eag e r anxi e ty and with upraised face I asked K ap i fi j ala

,
what it might m e an H e howeve r started up hastily with

.
, ,
o u t replying and w ith t h e cry Monster w hith e r goest “
”
, , ,
thou with my friend 2 with uplift e d ey e s and sudden w rath

h e ha stily gir t up his loins and following him in his fli gh t , ,
in hot pursuit h e rose into the sky ; and w hil e I ye t gazed

th e y all e nt e r e d amongst t h e stars But t h e d e part u re of .
K api fi j ala was to me like a second death o f my belove d and ,
it redoubled my gri e f so that my heart was rent asunder

, .
Bewild e red what to do I cried to T ar alikei : Knowest thou

,
1
G o gi r sh a a k in d of f r a gr an t s an d al
, .
1 34
n ot ? Tell me what this means ' B ut she with all a ,

’
woman s timidity at the sight wa s at that v e ry moment ,
trembling in all her limbs overcome by a f e ar st ro n ge r ,

z
than her gri e f and was frightened moreov e r by the dread

, , ,
o f my death ; and so w ith downcast heart sh e piteously

r e p l ied : Princ e ss wretch that I am I kno w n o t ! Ye t
“
, ,
this is a gr e at miracle The man is o f no mortal mould .

,
and thou wert pityingly comforted by him in his fl i gh t a s

by a fath e r S uch godlike b e ings are not w ont to d e c e ive
.
u s ev e n in sleep much l e ss face to fac e ; and when I think

, ,
it ove r I cannot see t h e least caus e for h is sp e aking falsely .
( 3 3 4 ) It is meet th e r e fore that thou shouldst w e igh i t and

, , ,
restrain thy longing f o r death In thy pr e sent state it is .
in truth a great ground for comfort Moreov e r K ap i fi j ala .

,
has gone in pursuit of P u n d ari ka From him thou canst .
l e arn whenc e and who this bein g is and why P u n d ari ka o n ,
his d e ath wa s by him raised and carri e d o ff and whither ,
he is carried and wherefore thou w e rt consoled by him

,
with t h e boon of a hope o f reunion that exceeds thought ;

then thou canst devote thys e lf either to lif e o r death F o r .
when d e ath is r e solved upon it i s easy to compass But ,

.
this can wait ; for K ap i fi j ala if he lives will certainly not , ,
r e st without seeing thee ; therefore le t thy lif e b e pre

served till his return Thus saying sh e f e ll at my fe e t
.
,
.
And I from the thirst for life that mortals fi n d so hard to

,
overcom e and from the w e aknes s of woman s natur e and

,
’
from t h e illusion his words had cr e ated and from my ,
anxiety for K ap i fi j ala s return thought that that plan w a s’
best for the time and did not d i e F or what will not hope
,
.
achieve 2
That night I spent in T ar alika s company on the bank ’
o f the lak e T o my wretchedn e ss it was like a night of

.
doom drawn out to a thousand years all torment all

1
, , ,
grief all hell all fi re ( 33 5) Sleep was rooted out and I

, , .
,
tossed o n t h e ground my fac e wa s hidden by the loosen e d

and dishevell e d tresses that clung to my ch e eks wet w ith ,
1
V Vi. sh n u P ur fi na , B k i . .
, ch . ii i .
( F o r the d sc i pti o n of B ahm a s
e r r
’
ni ght )
.
1 36
the do e r of that mon strous c rl m e t h e slaught e r o f a Brah ,
man 2 T hus saying she cov e red h e r fac e with t h e white

’
edge o f h e r bark garment a s if veiling t h e moon w ith a ,
fl e c k of autumn cloud and unabl e to quell the i rr e sistible

, ,
torrent o f her t e ars she gav e way to her sob s an d b e gan

, ,
to we e p loud and long .
“
From t h e v e ry fi r st Can drap i d a ha d been fi lle d with
reverence by h e r bea uty mod e sty and court e sy ; by the , ,
charm of h e r speec h her u n se lfi sh n e ss and her austerity

,
and by h e r serenity humility dignity, and purit y But now

, , .
he wa s carri e d a w ay both by t h e story of h e r life which ,
show e d her nobl e character and by her d e voted spirit and , ,
a fr e sh tenderness aros e in him With soft e n e d h e art he .
gently said : L ady those may weep w ho f e ar pain an d are

‘
, ,
devoid of gratit u de and love pl e a sur e for th e y ar e unable

, ,
to do anything worthy of love and show th e ir a ff e ction ,
m e rely by vain tears But thou who hast done all right ly
.
,
what d u ty o f love hast thou l e ft undon e that thou w e e pest ? ,
F o r P u n d ari ka s s ake thy kinsfolk who from thy birth

’ ‘
have b e en around the e d e ar a s they w e r e have b e en for , ,
sak e n a s if they were strangers ( 3 38 ) E arthly pl e asur e s .

,
though at thy f e et hav e be e n d e spis e d and r e ck o n e d light

,
a s gra ss The j oys o f po w e r though th e ir rich e s e xc e lled

.
,
the empire o f I ndra have b e e n r e sign e d T hy form ha s

,
.
b e en emaciat e d by dr e ad p e nances e ven though by nature ,
it w a s sl e nd e r a s a lotus stalk T hou hast tak e n t h e ascetic

-
.
vo w . T hy soul has b e e n d e voted to great p e nanc e Thou .
ha st d w e lt in the woods hard though it b e for a w oman ,

.
Moreove r lif e is easily r e signed by those whom sorrow has

,
ove r wh e lm e d but it ne e ds a gr e at e r e ffort not to throw

,
away lif e in heavy grief This follo w ing anoth e r to d e ath .
is most vain ! It is a path follow e d by t h e ignorant ! It

is a mere fr e ak of ma dness a path of ignoran c e an e nter , ,
prise o f r e cklessness a view of basen e ss a sign o f utter

, ,
thoughtlessn e ss an d a blunder o f folly that o n e should

, ,
resign life o n the death of fath e r broth e r friend o r , , ,
h usband If life leaves u s n o t o f itself w e must not resign

.
,
it. F o r this leaving of life if we examine i t is merely f o r , ,

1 37
o u r o wn interest becaus e we cannot h ear o u r o wn cur e l e ss

,
pain T o t h e dead man it brings no good what e v e r For

.
.
it is no m e an s of bringing him back to lif e or h e aping u p ,
merit or gaining h e aven f o r him or saving him from h e ll

, , ,
o r seeing him again or b e ing r e united w ith him , ( 3 3 9 ) For .
h e is led h e lplessly irresistibly to another state m e e t for

.
,
the fruits of his own d e e ds And ye t he shares in t h e guilt .
of t h e friend who has killed himself But a man w ho lives .
o n can h e lp greatly by off erings o f wat e r and the lik e both

, ,
t h e dead man and hims e lf but by dying he helps n e ither .
R e member how Rati the sol e and b e lov e d wif e of Love , .

,
when her nobl e husband who won t h e hearts of all w omen , ,
was burnt up by t h e fi re of i a yet did not yi e ld her lif e ; ,
and rem e mb e r also Kunt i of t h e race of Vr i sh n i daughter , ,
o f S ar ase n a for her lord wa s P a ndu the wise ; his seat w as

,
perf u med by the f lo w e rs in t h e cr e sts of all the kings whom

he had conqu e r e d w ithout an eff ort and he r e c e ive d the ,
tribut e of the whole e arth and y e t when he wa s con ,
sumed by K i n dam a s c u rs e sh e still r e main e d aliv e Uttar a

’
.
,
t o o the young daughter of V ir at a on t h e d e ath of Abhi

, ,
many u g e ntle and her o ic and j oyful to t h e e y e s as the

, ,
yo u n g moon ye t liv e d o h And D uh calyet t o o daughter o f

'
.
, , ,
Dhritar a sh t ra t e nd e rly car e d for by h e r hundr e d broth e rs ;

,
wh e n J ayadrat h a king o f Sindhu was slain by Arj u na fair

, , ,
a s he wa s and great a s he had b e come by i a s gift yet 1 ’
mad e no r e signation of h e r lif e ( 3 4 0 ) A nd oth e rs are told .
o f by thousands daught e rs o f R akshasas gods d e mons

, , , ,
ascetics mortals siddhas and Gandharvas who wh e n

, , ,
b e reft of th e ir husbands yet pr e s e rv e d th e ir live s Still .

,
where reunion is doubtf u l life might be yi e lded But for , .
the e tho u ha st heard from that gr e at b e ing a promis e o f

,
reunion What doubt can there be in a matter of thine

.
own experi e nce and how could fa ls e hood fi n d a place in

,
the words o f such noble truth speaking saints even when -

,
there might be gr e ater ca u se 2 And w hat union could ‘
1
T t
a a h S ai n dh av a k o r aj ii k sh u d r a s , a a , J ay ad r at h ah, t t
V ar ad an e n a R u dr a sy a ar an n ah s am av ar ay at s v .
( Th n v t he ile in h S d k g t
i n l e , J ay a d r at h a , the th o gh boo n
‘
e r u c on
f e e d by R d
rr u r a, O my
so n , k pt
e u s all — M ah ?1b h arat a , vii .
,
2 5 74 .
1 38
th e re b e between the d e ad and the living ? Ther e fore of a

sur e ty that wondrous being w as fi lle d with pity and carried
away P u n d ari ka to h e ave n solely to b r1n g him back to life "
.
For t h e po wer o f gr e at m e n tran scends thought Lif e h as .
many a spects D e stiny is manifold

. Thos e skilled in .
p e nanc e are fi t t e d for wondrous miracles Many are the .
forms of pow e r gain e d by previous actions Mor e ove r .

,
howeve r subtly we may consider the matt e r w hat other ,
cause can we imagin e for P u n d ar i ka s being tak e n a w ay ’

,
but the gift o f fr e sh lif e A nd this thou must know is .

, ,
not impossibl e I t is a path often trodd e n ( 3 4 1 ) F or

. .
P r am advaréi daughter of Vi cvé vasu king o f t h e G and

, ,
r
b arva s and Menak a lost her lif e through a poisonous

'
snak e at the hermitage o i S t h fi lake ca and the young .

,
ascetic Ruru so n of P r am at i and grandson o f the B h r i gu

,
Cy avan a provid e d her w ith half his own life

, A nd w hen .
Arj una wa s following t h e A cvam e dh a st e ed he was pierced ,
in t h e van o f the battle by an arrow from his o w n son

B ab h r u v ah an a an d a N a ga m aid e n U lf1 p a brought him
, , ,
back to life Wh e n P ari ksh i t A b h i m an yu s son was con

.
,
’
,
sumed by A cvat t h am a s fi e ry dart though h e ha d already

’
,
’
died at birth Krishna fi lle d w ith pity by U t t ar é s lam e nt

, , ,
r e st o r e d his pr e cious lif e And at U j j ayi ni h e whose steps

.
,
are honoured by the thr e e worlds carri e d off from the city ,
of d e ath the son of S an di p an i t h e Brahman and brought ,
1
him back . And in thy case too t h e sam e will som e how , ,
come to pa ss F or by thy pres e nt grief what is e ft e c t e d or

.
,
w hat won ? F at e i s all po w erf u l Destiny is strong We

-
. .
cannot even dra w a breath at our o wn will Th e freaks o f .
that accurs e d and m ost harsh destiny are e xc e e ding cruel .
A lov e fair in its sinc e rity is not allo w e d long to e ndure ;

f o r j oys are wont to b e in th e ir ess e nc e frail and unlasting ,
while sorrows by th e ir nature are long lived ( 34 2 ) F o r -

.
how hardly are mortal s u nit e d in o n e lif e whil e in a ,
thousand lives th e y are separat e d T hou can st not surely

’
th e n blame thys e lf all und e s e rving of blam e F o r thes e

, .
things often happen to those who ent e r t h e tangled path o f

1
H ar i v am ca , 4 9 0 6 .
1 40
‘
Nobl e sir sh e r e plied ,
’
from t h e race of Apsarases ,
‘
sprung from ambrosia of w hich I told you th e r e w a s born ,
a fair e yed daught e r named Madir a who marri e d King

-
1
,
Ci t r ar at h a t h e king w hos e footstool was form e d o f the

,
buds in the cr e s t s of all t h e Gandharvas Charm e d by h e r .
countl e ss Virtues h e sho w e d his favour by giving h e r the

,
title of Chi e f Qu e e n h e aring w ith it cowri e sceptre and , ,
umbr e lla mark e d by a gold e n throne and placing all the

, ,
z e nana b e low h e r— a wo m an s rarest glory ! A nd as they ’
p ursu e d tog e ther the j oys of youth in th e ir utt e r devotion

to e ach other a pric e les s da u ghter wa s in d u e tim e born
,
to th e m by name K a dambari mo st wondrous t h e v e ry

, , ,
lif e o f h e r parents and of the whole Gandharva rac e and , ,
ev e n of all living b e in gs From her birth sh e w as the .
fri e nd of my childhood and shar e d with m e seat couch , , ,
m e at and drink on h e r my d e epest love was set and she ,
wa s t h e hom e o f all my c o n fi d e n c e and like my other ,
h e art . Tog e th e r we l e arnt to danc e and sing and o ur ,
childhood passed away free from restra int in the sports

that b e long to i t ( 3 4 5 ) From sorro w at .my unh appy
story sh e mad e a r e solv e th at sh e w ould in nowis e acc e pt
a husband while I w as still in grief and b e for e h e r gir l ,
fri e nds sh e took an oath saying : I f my fath e r should in ,
any w is e o r at any time wish to marry m e against my wil l

and by forc e I will e n d my lif e by hunger fi re cord or
, , , ,
poison Ci t r ar at h a hims e lf heard all t h e r e solution o f his

.
daught e r spok e n of positiv e ly in the rep e ated gossip of her

,
att e ndants an d a s time w ent o n seeing that sh e was

, ,
gro w ing to full youth he b e came pr e y to great vexation , ,
and for a tim e took pleasure in nothing an d ye t a s she , ,
wa s his only child and h e d e arly loved her h e could say ,
nothing to h e r though h e saw no other resourc e But as

,
.
he d e emed the tim e now ripe he consider e d t h e matt e r with ,
Qu e en Madir a and sent the herald K sh i r o d a to me at e arly

,
dawn with the messag e : D e ar M ah acve t a o ur h e arts ,
wer e already burnt up by thy sad fat e and no w this new ,
1
M a d i r a, i n toxi c tin g b a , e wi tch i n g ; so c ll d b c s
a e e au e her e y sw
e e re
m a d i i ah
'
.
1 41
thing has come upon u s T o the e we look to win back .
K a dambar i Thereupon in r e v e r e nc e to t h e word s of one ,
so respected and in love to my fri e nd I sent Taralika w ith

, ,
K sh i r o da to bid K a dambar i not a dd grief to o n e already

sad e nough ( 3 4 6 ) for if she wished m e to liv e she must
f u lfi l h e r fath e r s words ; and ere Tarali ka had been long
’
gone thou noble sir camest to this spot S o saying she

’
.
, , ,
w a s silent .
T hen the moon arose simulating by his mark the ,
heart of M ah acve t é burnt through by the fi re of gri e f , ,
bearing the great crime of the young ascetic s d e ath ’

,
showing t h e long ingrained scar of the burning of Daksha s ’
1
curse whit e with thick ashes and half cov e red by black
, ,
antelope skin lik e the left breast of Durg a the crest j ewe l
, ,
-
’
of i a s thick locks ( 3 4 7 ) T hen at length Can d r l i da -
.
beh e ld M ah acve t a a sle e p and quietly lay down hims e lf on ,
his leafy couch and fell a sleep while thinking what V ai cam
p a yana and sorrowing P at r ale kh a and his princely com
p e ers would th e n be imagining about him .
Then at dawn when M ah ac ve t é had honour e d the ,
twilight and wa s murmuring the agh am ar sh an a and ,
Can dr api d a had said his morning prayer T arali ka wa s seen ,
coming with a Gandharva boy named K e yfi raka As

she drew n e ar she looked long at Can d répi d a wondering
, ,
who h e might b e and approaching M ah acve t a sh e bowed , ,
lo w and sat r e sp e ctfully by her Then K e y araka with head .

,
low b e nt ev e n from afar took his place on a rock some way ,
o ff a ssign e d to him by a glance from M ah é cv e t é and wa s

, ,
fi lle d with won d er at the sight o f Can drap i d a s marvellous

’
beauty rare mocking that o f gods d e mons Gandharva s

, , , , ,
and Vi dyadh aras and surpassing e ven the god of love , .
( 3 4 9 ) When she had fi n i sh e d her prayers M a h acv e t a ,
a sked T ar alika Didst th ou see my d e ar K a dambar i w e ll 2

‘
and w ill she do a s I said 2 Princess said T aralika ’
,
’
in a very s weet voice with head r e spectfully inclin e d I , ,
D ksh c s d t h moon wi th co n s mpt i o n t t h pp l of hi

1 a a ur e e u a e a ea s
fo ty n i n d ght s t h moo s wi v s who compl in d of h i sp c i l

r -
e au er , e n
’
e , a e s e a
f vo to t h fi f t i t h s i st
a ur e e er .
142
saw Princess K a dambar i well i n all respects and told her ,
all thin e advice ; and what wa s h e r r e ply when with a ,
continuous stream o f thick tears she had hear d i t that her ,
lut e player K e yfi r aka whom she has s e nt shall t e ll the e

-
, ,
and a s sh e ceased K e yfi raka said P rincess M ah acve t a my , ,
lady K a dambar i with a close embra c e sends this message

, , ,
“
Is this that T ar alik a ha s been sent to t e ll m e said to
, ,
pl e a se my pare n t s or to t e st my feelings o r to subtly ,
r e proach m e for my crime in dwelling at home or is it a

d e sir e to break o u r fri e ndship or a devi ce to desert o n e ,
who lov e s h e r or is it simply anger ? Thou kno w e st that

,
my h e art o ve r fl o ws w ith a love that was inborn in

me . How wert thou not a shamed to s e nd so cr uel a
message ? Tho u erst so soft of speech from whom ha st
, ,
thou learnt to speak unkindness and utter reproach 2 Wh o

in his senses would even if happy mak e up his min d to
, ,
und e rtake e ven a slight matt e r that would e n d in pain ?

how much l e ss o n e lik e me w hose h e art is struck down by ,
deep gri e f 2 F o r in a heart worn by a friend s sorrow ’
what hope is there of j o y what cont e ntm e nt what pl e asures

, ,
o r w hat mirth ? ( 3 5 0 ) How should I f u lfi l the d e sire of

L ove poisonous pitil e ss unkind wh o ha s brought my
, , , ,
dear fri e nd to so sad a plight ? E ven t h e hen c akr avaka ,
when the lotus beds are widow e d by the sun s setting

-
’
r e nounces from t h e friendship that arises from d w e lling

among them the j oys of union with h e r lord ho w much
,
more then should wom e n

, , While my friend dwells day
and night sorrowing for the loss o f her lord and avoiding
t h e sight o f mankind how could anyone e lse e nt e r my
,
h e art and while my friend in her sorrow tortur e s h e rself

with p e nances and s u ff e rs great pain h o w could I think so ,
lightly o f that a s to s e e k my own happin e ss and accept a

husband or h o w could any happiness befall m e ? F o r
,
from love o f thee I have in this matter accepted dis

grace by embracing an ind e pendent life contrary to the
wont of maidens I have despise d noble br e e ding tran s
.
,
r e sse d my parent s commands s e t at nought the gossip o f

’
g ,
mankind thrown away modesty a woman s inborn grac e

, ,
’
1 44
forward at t h e sight of M ah fi cve t é bowing while yet far 0 2 , ,
and hol ding th e ir gold e n stave s he e nter e d and b e h e ld the ,
inside o f the maid e ns palace It seemed a new woman s ’

.
’
world consisting wholly of women in countless numbers

, ,
a s if the womankind o i the three worlds ha d be e n gathered

together to make such a total ; o r it might be a fresh
manl e ss creation a yet unborn contin e nt of girls a fi f t h
, ,
women s e ra a fresh race created by P r aj fip at i o u t of

’
hatr e d for m e n o r a tr e a sury of women pr e pared for the

,
making of many yugas The wave of girlish beauty which .
surrounded it on all sid e s which fl o o d e d space sprinkled , ,
nectar on the day rained spl e ndour o n the interstice s of

,
t h e world and shone lustrous a s an emerald made the

, ,
place all aglow a s if with thousand s o f moon s ; ( 3 5 3) it

seem e d modelled in moonlight ; j ewels made another sky ;
servic e wa s done by bright glanc e s ; every part was made
for youthful plea sures ; here wa s an a ssemblage for Rati s ’
sports a mat e rial for L ov e s practice ; here the entrance

,
’
o f all wa s made smooth by Love ; here all wa s aff e ction ,
beauty : the supr e me deity of pas sion the arrows o f Love , ,
here all wa s wond e r marvel and tenderness of youth , , .
( 3 5 6 ) Wh e n he had gone a little way in he heard the

pleasant talk of the maiden s round K a dambari a s they
wandered hither an d thither Such as L avalika deck the .
,
laval i trenches with ke t aki pollen S agarik a sprinkle .

,
j ewelled dust in the tanks of scented water M r i n ali ka .

,
inlay with saff ron dust t h e pairs of toy c akrav akas in

1
the ar t ifi c i al lotus beds M akarika scent the pot pourri

-
.
,
-
with camphor j uice Raj an i ka place j ewelled lamps in

-
.
,
the dark tam a la avenues K u m u di k a cover the pome .

,
granates with p e arly n e ts to ke e p o ff the birds N ip u n i ka .

,
draw sa ff ron lines o n the br e a sts of the j ewelled dolls .
U t p alika swe e p with gold e n broom s the em e rald arbour in

,
the p lai n t ai n hous e K e sar i ka sprinkle with wine the

.
,
houses o f bakul fl o we r s M alat i ka redden with red lead .

,
the ivory roof o f K a ma s shrine N alin i ka give the tame ’

.
,
kalah am sas lotus honey to drink -

K ad alika take the .
,
1
L it .
, go i n g by m chi n y a er .
’
145
tame peacocks to t h e show e r bath s K am alin i ka g i ve some -

,
sap from the lotus fi b r e s to t h e young c akravfi kas C ii ta

-
.
lat i ka give t h e cag e d pigeons th e ir meal o f mango buds

,
-
.
P allavi ka distribut e to t h e tam e h ari t fi la pig e ons some

,
topmost leaves of the p e pp e r tr e e L avan gika throw som e -

.
,
pi e ces o f p i p p ali l e ave s into the partridg e s cag e s Mad

’
h u kari ka make som e fl o w ery ornaments M ayfi rik zi

’
.
, ,
dismiss t h e pairs of kin n aras in the singing room Kan -

.
dalik a bring up t h e pairs of partridges to t h e top of the

,
playing hill H ar i n i k a give the caged parrots and m ai n as

.
,
their lesson .
’
( 3 58 ) Then h e beheld K a dambar i herself in the midst

of her pavilion encircled by a b e vy of maidens sitting by
her whos e glitt e ring g e ms mad e th e m like a cluster of
,
1
kalpa trees ( 3 5 9 ) She wa s resting on her bent arms
.
,
which lay on a whit e pillow plac e d o n a small couch

cove red with blue silk ; she w as fanned by cowri e b e ar e rs -
,
that in t h e motion of th e ir waving arms were like swimm e rs

in the wid e fi o wi n g stream o f h e r beauty a s if it cover e d
-
,
t h e e arth w hich was only held up by the t a sks o f Mah a

,
v ar ah a .
A nd a s her re fl e c t io n t ell she se e med o n the J ewe l led ,
pavem e nt b e lo w to b e borne away by serpents ; o n the

walls hard by to be led by the guardians of spac e ; on the
roof above to be cast upwards by the gods ; to be received
by t h e pillars into their inmost heart ; to be drunk in by
the palace mirrors to be lift e d to the sky by t h e Vi dy ad
,
haras scatt e r e d in the pavilion looking down from the ,
roof to be surrounded by the universe concealed in the

guise o f pictures all thronging together to see her ; to be
,
gazed at by the palace itself which ha d gained a thousand ,
e y e s to behold her in that the e yes o f its peacocks tails

’
w ere outspr e ad a s th e y danc e d to the clashing of her gems ;

and to be steadily looked on by her o wn attendants who ,
s e emed in their eagerness to behold h er to have gained a

divine insight .
Her b e auty bore the impress o i awakening l ove .
1
T re e s of p ar a di s e .
1 46
though but yet in promise and sh e seemed to be casting ,
childhood a side like a thing o f no w orth .
( 36 5 ) Such wa s K fid am b ari as the prince b e held her ,

.
Before h er was seat e d K e yuraka loud in prais e o i Candr a ,
pi da s b e auty a s K a dambari question e d him saying

’
’
, , ,
‘
Who is h e and what are his par e ntag e name app e ar
, , ,
ance and age ? What did h e say and w hat didst thou
, ,
reply 2 Ho w long didst thou see him 2 how ha s h e b e com e

so clos e a fri e nd to M ah ac ve t a 2 and why is he coming
hither 2 ’
No w on b e holding t h e moonlike b e auty o f K fi d am b ari s

,
’
fac e the princ e s heart w as stirred like the tide o f oc e an

,
’
.
‘
Why thought h e did not the Creator make all my
,
’
,
‘
sens e s into sight o r w hat noble d e e d ha s my e ye don e that

,
it may look on her unchecked ? Sur e ly it is a w onder !

The Creator has here mad e a h o m e f o r ev e ry charm !
Whenc e have t h e parts o f this exceeding b e a uty been
gathered ? S ur e ly from t h e t e ars that fell from the
’
Creator s e yes in the labour of thought a s he g e ntly ,
mould e d her with his hands all t h e lotus e s in the world ,
have their birth .
( 3 66) And as he thus thought his eye m e t hers and

“
,
sh e thinking This is he of whom K e y fi raka spok e let ’
, , ,
her glance widened by wonder a t his e xceeding bea uty

, ,
dwe ll long and quietly on him Confus e d by the sight o f .
K et dam b ari yet illumined by t h e brightness o f her gaze h e

'
, ,
stood for a moment l ik e a rock whi l e at t h e sight of him a ,
thrill rose in K a dambar i her j ewels clash e d and she half , ,
ros e Then love cau s e d a glow but t h e excuse was the

.
,
f
ef ort of hastily rising ; tremb l ing hindered h e r steps the —
h am sas around drawn by the soun d of t h e anklets go t t h e
, ,
blame ; t h e heaving of a sigh stirr e d her robe i t wa s —

thought due to t h e w ind o f the cowries ; h e r hand f e l l 0 11
h e r heart as if to touch Can dr api d a s image that had
’
—
entered i n i t pretended to cov e r her bosom ; she le t fal l
tears of j oy—the excus e wa s t h e poll e n falling from t h e
fl o we r s i n her ear Shame choked her voice — the swarm .
o f bees hastening to the lotus sweetness o f her mouth was

1 48
of his being un seen before lay a side di ffi de n c e a s to his ,
b e ing a stra n ger cast away suspicion rising from his

,
character being unknown and b e have to him as to me , .
H e is thy friend thy kinsman and thy servant

, A t these , .
’
words o f hers Can dr api d a bow e d lo w befor e K a dambari and ,
a s she glanced sideways at him a ff e ctionately th e re fell

from her ey e s with th e ir b eautiful pupils turn e d towards
,
t h e corn e r o f their long orb s a fl o o d of j oyous tears a s , ,
though from w e ariness The moonlight o f a smil e whit e .

,
'
a s nectar dart e d forth a s if it wer e t h e d u st r ai se d by t h e

, ,
heart a s it hastily set o u t ; o n e e yebro w w a s raised as if t o

bid the h e ad honour w ith an answering rever e nc e the guest
so d e ar to the heart ; ( 36 9 ) her hand crept to h e r softly
parting lips and might seem a s t h e light o f an e merald
, ,
ring fl ash e d between the fi n ge r s to have tak e n some betel ,

.
She bowed d i ffi de n t ly and then sat down o n t h e couch with

,
M ah acve t éi and the att e ndants quickly brought a stool with

,
gold feet an d a covering of whit e silk and placed it near ,
the couch and Can drapi d a took his s e at thereon To plea se

, .
M ah é cve t a the portress e s knowing K fidam b zi ri s wishes

’
‘
, , ,
and having by a hand placed on closed lips rec e ived an ‘
ord e r to stop all sounds ch e cked on e very sid e the sound,
o f pipe lute and song and the M agad h a wom e n s cry of

’
, ,
All hail ( 3 7 0 ) When t h e servants had quickly brought

water K a dambar i herself washed M ah acve t a s fe e t and
,
’
, ,
drying th e m with her robe sat o n th e couch again ; and ,
M adale kh a a friend w orthy o f K a dambari dear a s her own

, ,
life and the home of all h e r c o n fi d e n c e insisted on w ashing ,
Can d r ap i d a s feet un w illing though he w e r e M ah acv e t a

’
.
,
m e anwhil e a sk e d K é dam b ari how she was and lovingly ,
touched with h e r hand t h e corn e r of h e r friend s eyes ’
which shone with t h e r e fl e c t e d light o f her earrings ; sh e

lift e d the fl o we r s in K é d am b ari s ear all cove red with bees ’
, ,
and softly stroke d th e coils of h e r hair roughen e d by t h e ,
wind o f t h e cowries And K é d am b ari a shamed from lov e

.
, ,
to her friend of her o wn well being as though feeling that

,
-
,
in still dw e lling at hom e she had committed a cri m e said ,
w ith an eff ort that all was well with her Th e n though .
,
1 49
fi lle d with grief and intent on gazing at M ah acve t a s face ’
yet h e r e ye with its pupil dark and quivering a s it looked

,
out sid e ways wa s und e r the in flu e nc e o f love with ho w

, , ,
fully bent irr e sistibly drawn by Can d rapi da s fac e and sh e

,
’
could n o t turn it away A t that same moment she f e lt .
j ealousy of his being pictur e d on t h e cheek of her friend

1
—
standing n e ar the pain o f abs e nce as his r e fl e c t i o n faded .
away on her own brea st pierc d by a thrill the ange r

e — ,
of a rival wife a s the image o f the statues fell o n him t h e —

sorrow of despair a s he closed his e y e s and blindness a s hi s ,
image wa s veil e d by tears o f j oy .
( 37 1 ) A t t h e end of a moment M ah acve t a said to

“ ‘
K a dambari as she was intent on giving b e tel : Dear

'
K 5 d am b ari the moment has approach e d for u s to show

,
honour to our newly arriv e d guest Can dr api da Ther e , .
for e give him some B ut averting her b e nt face K a dam

.
’
b arI replied slowly and indistinctly D e ar friend I am , ,
ashamed to do so for I do n ot know him Do thou tak e , .
i t f o r thou can st without the for w ardness there would be

,
in me and give it him and it wa s only after ma n y p e r

,
suasions that with d i ffi c u lt y and like a Villag e mai de n

, , ,
she resolved to give i t Her e yes were neve r drawn from .
M ah acve t é s face her limbs trembled h e r glance wave r e d

’
, , ,
she sighed d e eply she was st u nn e d by L ove with his ,
shaft and she seemed a prey to t e rror a s she str e tched

,
forth h e r hand holding t h e bet e l a s if tryi n g to cling to

,
som e thing under the i dea she w a s falling The hand .
Can dr api d a stretched o u t by natur e pink a s if red lea d , ,
had fallen upon it from t h e fl app in g of his triumphal

elephant wa s darkened by the scars of the bowstring and
, ,
seemed to have dr op s of collyrium clinging to it from

touching t h e eyes o f his enemi e s Lakshmi weepin g a s h e ’
drew h e r by the hair ; ( 3 7 2 ) its fi n ge r s by the forth

fl ash i n g rays o f his nails seem e d to run up ha stily to ,
grow long and to laugh and the hand seemed to raise ,
fi ve other fi n ge r s in the fi ve senses that in desire to touch ,
h e r ha d j ust made their entry full o f love

, Then contend .
1
R e ad z rshyan vya t hd m an d i sh a j as t h e C al c u tt a e di t i o n
' '
z, ,
'
o i i , .
150
ing f e e li n gs t o o k possession o f K a dambari as i f they had

1
gathered togeth e r in curiosity to see the grace at that

moment so ea sy o f a ccess Her hand a s she did not look .
,
w hither it was going wa s stretched vainly forth , and the ,
ray s of its nails seemed to hasten forward to se e k Candr a

p i da s hand ; and with the murmur of the line o f brac e lets
’
‘
s t irred by h e r trembling it seemed to say a s drops o f , ,
moistur e arose o n i t L et this slave o ff er e d by L ove be ,

‘
2
accept e d a s if she were o ff ering herself and Hence
,
’
,
‘
forth it is in thy hand a s if sh e were making i t into a ,

’
living being and so she gave t h e b e tel A nd in drawin g

, .
back her hand she did not notice the fall of her bracelet ,
which had slipped down her arm in eag e r n e s s to touch

him like her heart pi e rced by L ove s shaft ; and taking
,
’
another piece o f betel she gave it to M ah zi cve t a

'
.
,
( 3 7 ) Then there came up with ha sty st e ps a maina

f
3 ,
a very fl o we r in that her feet were yello w a s l otus fi lam e n t s

, ,
h er beak wa s l ike a c am p ak bud an d her wings blue a s a ,
lotus peta l Close behin d her cam e a parrot slow in gait

.
, ,
e merald wing e d with a beak lik e coral and neck bearing a

-
,
curved three rayed rainbo w Angrily the maina began

,
-
.
‘
Prin cess K a dambari why dost thou n o t r e strain this ,
w retched il l mann e red conceited bird from follo w in g me 2

,
-
,
If thou o ve rlo o ke st my b e ing O ppr e ssed by him I will ,
c e rtainly destroy myself I swear it truly by thy lotu s .
f e et A t these words K é d am b ari smiled ; but M ah é cve t a

’
.
,
n o t knowing the story a sk e d M ad ale kh é what sh e w a s ,
saying and sh e told t h e follo w ing tale :

,
This maina ,
K a lind i is a friend of Princ e ss K a dambari and wa s giv e n

, ,
by her sol e mnly in marriag e to P ar i h asa the parrot A nd ,

.
to day e ver since she saw him reciting something at e arly

-
,
dawn t o K adam b ari s betel b e ar e r Tam alika alone she ’

-
, , ,
ha s been fi lle d with j ealousy and in frowardness o f wrath ,
will n o t go near him o r speak or touch o r look at him ; , , ,
and though we have all tri e d to soothe her she will not be ,
1
All t h e r a sa s,
’
t h e t en e moti o n s of l ov f e, e ar , e t c .
, e nu m e ra e t d by
wr it e r s h to i c
on r e r .
2
B c s w t w
e au e a er as po ure d out to ra t i fy gi ft
a .
1 52
he had a l ready found a plac e in the hear t o f thousands of

women said aloud
, Dear M ah acve t a why sp e ak thus ?
,
‘
,
Since I beheld him I hav e not be e n mistress o f myself far ,
less than of my palac e and my s e rvants Let him stay .
’ ’
w h ereve r it pl e a ses him and my dear fri e nd s heart .
Thereon M ah acve t a r e plied L e t him stay in th e j e w e ll e d

,
house o n the playing hill of the royal gard e n n e ar thy

palace and went to se e t h e kin g
,
’
.
( 3 7 6 ) C an d r ap i d a went away at her departur e follo w e d ,
by maid e ns s e nt for his amusement by t h e portress at

,
K ad am b ari s bidding players o n lut e and pipe singers

’
, , ,
skilful dice and draught play e rs prac t is e d p ainters and ,
reciters o f graceful v e rs e s h e was led by his o ld acquaint

anc e K e yur aka to t h e j ewell e d hall o n the playing h il l .
When he wa s gone the Gandharva princ e ss dismiss e d

her girl friends and attendants and followed only by a f e w
-
, ,
went into the palace Th e re sh e fell on her couch whil e

.
,
her maiden s stay e d som e way o ff full o f respect and , ,
tried to comfort her A t length she came to herself and

.
,
remaining alon e she was fi lle d with sham e F or Modesty

,
.
censur e d her : Light o n e what hast thou b e gun 2 Self

‘ ’
respect reproached her Gandharva Princ e ss how is this ,
fi t t i n g for thee 2 Simplici t y mocked her

’
Wh ere has ‘
thy chi l dhood gone befor e its day wa s over 2 Youth ’
warned h e r : Wi l ful girl do not carry o u t alone any ,
w ild plan o f thine own Dignity reb u ked her : Timid

child this is not the cours e of a high born maiden
,
-
.
Conduct blamed her : R e ckless girl avoid this un seemly

‘
,
behaviour High Birth admonish e d her Foolish o n e ,
love hath le d thee into lightness Steadfastness cri e d .

’
sham e o n her : Wh e nce com e s thine unsteadin e ss o f

nature Nobility rebuked her S e l f willed my au t h o -
,
rity is set at nought by thee .

’
( 3 77 ) And she thought within herself What shame ,
ful conduct is this o f mine in th at I ca st away all fear , ,
and show my unsteadiness and am blinded by folly In .
my audacity I never thought he wa s a stranger ; in my

'
shame l essness I di d not consider th at he would think me

1 53
light of nature ; I never examined his charact e r ; I n e ver

thought in my folly if I were worthy o f his re gard ; I had
no dread o f an unexp e cted rebuff ; I ha d no f e ar of my
parents n o anxiety about gossip Nay more I did not in
, .
, ,
my unkindn e ss r e memb e r that M ah acve t a wa s in sorro w ;

1
in my stupidity I did not notice that my friends stood by

and beh e ld m e in my utter dulness I did not se e that my
servants behin d were observing me E ven grav e minds .
w ould mark such utter forgetfulness of seemliness ; h o w

m uch more M ah acve t a who knows the course of love ; ,
and my friends skilled in all its ways and my attendants ,
w h o know all its symptoms and w h ose wits are sharpen e d ,
by life at court Th e slaves of a zenana hav e keen eyes in

.
such matters My e vil fate has undone me

. Better w e re
it for me now to die than live a sham e ful life What will .
my fath e r and moth e r and t h e G andharvas say wh e n they

h e ar this tal e 2 What can I do 2 What remedy is th e r e 2
H o w can I cover this error 2 T o whom can I tell this folly
o f my undisciplined sen ses ( 3 7 8 ) and wh e re shall I go , ,
consumed by K a ma the fi ve arrowed god 2 I ha d made ,

-
a promis e in M ah acve t a s sorro w I had announced it ’
before my friends I had sent a m e ssage o f it by the hands

,
o f K e yur aka and h o w it has no w come about that that

,
beguiling Can d rap i d a ha s been brought hither I know not , ,
ill fated th at I am ; whether it b e by cruel fate or proud

-
love or n e mesis of my former d e eds or accursed death o r

, , ,
anything else B ut some pow e r unseen unknown u n

.
, ,
heard o i unthought o f and unimagined before has com e

, ,
t o delude me A t the mere sight o f him I am a captive in

.
bonds I am ca st into a cag e and hand e d over by my senses

I am enslav e d and led to him by L ove I am sent away by
a ffe ction I am sold at a price by my feelings I am made
as a household chatt e l by my heart I will have nothing .
to do with this worthless o n e Thus for a moment sh e

resolved But having mad e this resolve she was mocked
.
,
by Can drépi d a s image stirred by the trembling of her

’
heart If thou in thy fals e reserv e will have nought t o

, , ,
1
R d ni
ea r d a kshi
’
y yd
na .
4
do with me I wi l l go,
She was a sked by her life whi ch
.
’
,
clung to her in a farewel l embrace before starting at t h e

moment o f her determination to give up Can d rapi d a ;
( 3 7 9 ) she wa s addressed by a tear that ros e at that
moment Let him be se e n onc e more with clear e r eyes
,
‘
,
whether he be worthy of rej ection o r no ; she was ’
chidden b y Lov e saying I will take away thy prid e

, ,
togeth e r w ith thy life and so her heart was again turned
to Can d rapi d a Overwhelm e d wh e n the force of her
.
,
meditation had collapsed by the access of lov e sh e rose , , ,
under its sway and stood looking through t h e window at

,
the playing hill And there a s if b e wilder e d by a veil o f

.
,
j oyful tears she saw with h er memory n o t her ey e s ; a s if

, ,
fearing to soi l with a hot hand h e r picture sh e painted ,
with her fancy not with her brush ; dr e ading t h e int e r

,
v e n t i o n o f a thrill she o ff ered an embrace w ith her heart

, ,
n o t h e r br e ast ; unabl e to b e ar his delay in coming sh e ,
sent h e r mind not h e r servants to m e et him

, , .
Meanwhil e Can drépi d a willingly e ntered the j ewelled

,
house a s if it were a s e cond heart of K a dambari O n t h e

, .
rock was strewn a blanket with pillows piled on it at ,
either end and thereon he lay down with his f e et in

, ,
K e yurak a s lap while t h e maiden s sat round h i m in the

’
places appointed for them With a heart in turmoil he .
betook himse l f to r e fl e c t io n : Are these graces o f Princess

K a dambari that steal a l l men s hearts inna te in her o r
,
’
, ,
has L ove with kindn e ss wo n by no service o f min e

, ,
ordained them for me 2 ( 3 8 0 ) F o r sh e gave m e a sidelong

glance with loving reddened eyes half curved as if th e y
,
’
were covered with the pollen o f L ov e s flo w ery dart s a s
they fel l o n her heart She modestly veiled h e rself with a
.
b right smile fair a s silk a s I looked at her She off ered .
the mirror o f her cheek to receive my imag e a s in shame ,
at my ga z e she averted her face She sketched o n the .
couch with her nail the fi r st trace of wilfulnes s o f a heart

that wa s givin g me entrance H e r hand moist with the .
,
fatigue of bringing me the betel seem e d in its trembling ,
to fan her hot face a s if it w ere a tam a la branch she had

,
6
e ag e r f o r the sc e nt o f t h e fl o we r s which veiled her even by ,
day i n darkness Now sh e leaned on the point o f the

'
cowrie now o n t h e stick of the umbrella ; 11 0 W she laid

, _
her hands 0 11 T am alika s shoulder now she clung to ’
M adale kh a ; no w sh e hid h e rself amidst her maid e n s ,
looking with sid e long glance ; now she turned h e rs e lf

round now sh e laid her che e k o n t h e tip o f the portress s ’
staff ; now w ith a steady hand sh e plac e d betel 0 11 h e r

fresh lips ; no w she laughingly ran a few steps in purs u it
of her maid e ns scatt e red by the blo w s o f t h e lotuses she
threw a t th e m And in looking at t h e prince and b e ing
.
,
ga zed at by him sh e knew not how long a tim e h ad pass e d

, .
A t la st a portress announc e d M ah acve t a s return and sh e

’
w e nt down and albeit un w illing yet to please M ah é cve t a

, ,
she bathed and p e rformed the wont e d duti e s of t h e day .
B ut Can dr épi d a w e nt dow n and dismis sing K adam b ari s ’
follow e rs perform e d t h e rites of bathing and w orshipp e d

, ,
the deity honour e d throughout the mountain and did all ,
the duties of the day inc l uding his meal on the pleasur e , ,
hill There he sat 0 11 an emerald s e at w hich command e d

.
the front o f t h e plea sur e hill pleasant gr e e n as a pigeon , , ,
bedewed with foam from the che w ing o f fawn s shining lik e ,
Yamun a s waters standing still in fear o f Balar a ma s

’ ’
plough glowin g crimson w ith lac j uice from t h e girls fe e t

,
-
’
sand e d with flow e r dust hidden in a bower a concert -

, ,
house o f peacocks H e sudd e nly beheld day eclips e d by a .
stream o f white radianc e rich in glory ( 3 8 3 ) light drunk , ,
up a s by a garland of lotus fi b r e s earth flooded a s by a -

,
Milky Oc e an spac e b e d e w ed a s by a storm o f sandal j u ic e

,
-
,
and the sky paint e d a s w ith whit e ch unam .
What thought h e is o u r lord t h e Moon king o f

‘
, , ,
plants suddenly ris e n o r are a thousand show e r baths s et

, ,
-
goin g with their whit e str e ams le t loos e by a spring or i s ,
it t h e heavenly Ganges w hit e ning the e arth with h e r ,
w i nd to ss e d spray that has come down to earth in

-
,
curiosity 2
’
1
Then turning his eyes in the dir e ction of the l ight h e
, ,
1
Thi s p ss g a a e is con d n s e ed ,
157
behe l d K a dambari and w ith her M ad ale kh a and Taralikzi

,
b e aring a p e arl necklace on a tray cove r e d w ith whit e silk .
( 3 8 4 ) T her e upon C an d r ap i d a d e cided that it w a s this n e ck

lace that e clipsed moonlight and was t h e cause of t h e
1
,
brightness and by rising whil e she wa s ye t far 0 2 and by

, ,
all wont e d courtesies he greeted the approach of Mada

,
l e kh a F or a moment she rested on that emerald seat

.
,
and then rising anointed him with sandal p e rfum e put

, , ,
o n him two w hite robes ( 3 8 5 ) cro w n e d him with m a lat i

,
fl o we r s and then gave him t h e n e cklace saying

,
This , ,
thy g e ntlen e ss my Prince so d e void o f pride must needs

, , ,
subj ugat e e ve ry h e art Thy kindn e ss give s an op e ning

.
ev e n to o n e lik e m e ; by thy form thou art lord of life to

all ; by that t e nd e rness shown e ve n wh e re th e r e is no claim
o n the e thou t h r o we st o n all a bond o f lov e ; t h e innat e
,
s weetness o f thy b e aring makes e ve ry man thy fri e nd

these thy virtues manifested with such natural g e ntlen e ss
, ,
give c o n fi d e n c e to all Thy form must tak e t h e blame f o r

.
,
it inspires trust ev e n at fi r st sight ; el se w ords addressed

to o n e of such dignity a s tho u wo u ld s e e m all unmeet .
F or to sp e ak with thee would be an insult ; our very

r e spect would bring o n u s t h e charge of for w ardness ; our
very praise would display our boldn e ss ; our subservienc e
would m anifest lightness o u r love self deception our ,
-
,
spe e ch to thee audacity o u r s e rvice impertinenc e our gift

, ,
an insult Nay more thou hast conquered our hearts ;

.
, ,
w hat is left for u s to give the e 2 Thou art lord of our life
w hat can we o ff er thee ? T hou hast alr e ady b e stowed t h e
great favour of thy presence what r e turn could we make 2
Thou by thy sight hast made our lif e worth having ; ho w
can we r e w ard thy coming ? ( 3 8 6) Therefor e K a damba ri
'
with this e xcus e shows h e r a ff ection rather than her dignity .
Noble hearts admit no question o f min e and thine Away .
w ith the though t o f dignity E ven if sh e acc e pt e d slav e ry .
to one like the e she would do 11 0 unw o rthy act ; e ven if sh e

,
gave herself to thee sh e would not be deceived ; if she gave

,
her life she would not repent

,
The g e nerosity of a nobl e .
1
R ad m e a sh o .
158
heart is a l ways bent on kindness and does not willingly ,
rej ect a ff ection and askers ar e less sham e faced than

,
givers B ut it is tru e that K a dambari knows sh e ha s

.
o fi e n d e d thee in this matter Now this necklac e , call e d .

,
'
C e sh a
,
1
b e cause it wa s the only j e w el l e ft of all that ros e
at t h e churning of n e ctar w as for that r e ason gr e atly ,
valued by the L ord o f Oc e an and w as giv e n by him t o ,
V aruna on his r e turn home B y t h e latter it was give n to .
the Gandharva king and by him to K a dambari And sh e ,

.
,
thinking thy form w orthy of this ornam e nt in that not ,
the e arth b u t t h e sky is t h e h om e o f t h e moon hath s e nt

, , ,
it to the e And though m e n lik e the e w ho hear no orna

.
,
ment but a noble spirit fi n d it irksom e to w e ar t h e g e ms ,
honour e d by mean e r m e n yet h e r e K ad am b ari s aff e ction ,

’
is a r e a son for th e e to do so ( 3 8 7 ) Did not V ishnu sho w .
his rever e nc e by w e aring 0 11 his br e ast the ka u st u bh a ge m ,
because it ros e with Lakshmi ; and ye t h e w a s not gr e ater

than thee nor did t h e kau st ub h a ge m in the least surpas s
,
the Qe sh a in worth ; nor inde e d do e s L akshmi approach , ,
in the slightest d e gr e e to imitating K adam b ari s b e a uty

’
.
And in truth if her love is crushed by th e e sh e w ill griev e

, ,
M ah acve t a w ith a thousand r e proaches and will slay her

2
,
self M ah acve t a ther e fore s e nds Tar ali ka with the necklac e
.
to th e e and bids m e say thus :

,
L et not K ad am b ari s fi r st ’
impuls e o f lov e be crush e d by the e even in thought most , ,
nobl e T hus h aving said sh e fasten e d on his ,
breast t h e necklac e that rested like a bevy of star s o n the

slop e of the golden mountain Filled with ama z em e nt .
,
Can drapi d a repli e d What means this M adale kh zt 2

'
Thou art clever and knowest how to win acceptanc e for

,
thy gifts B y leaving m e no chance of a reply thou hast

.
,
shown skill in oratory Nay foolish maiden what are we .

, ,
in respect of thee o r of acceptanc e and refusal ; truly this

,
talk is nought Having r e c e ived kindness from ladie s so

.
rich in court e sy let me be employed in any matter , ,
whether plea sing o r displ e a sing to me B ut truly th e r e .
lives not the man whom the virtues of the most

1
I e . e li c
.
,
‘
or r e m ai n in g
r ,
’
R e ad M a h agve t d zn .
’
2
.
1 60
asl e ep , and pairs o i c akravakas kept up their dirge o f “
separation thereon And while the Princ e y e t rest e d th e r e

.
K e y fi raka approached him and told him that Princ e ss , ;
K a dambari had come to see him Then Can dr api d a r o s e .
ha stily and beheld K a dambari drawing near F ew o f h e r

, .
friends were with her all her royal insignia w e re r e mov e d

sh e wa s a s it w e re a n e w self in the singl e necklac e she wor e ,
h e r sl e nd e r form wa s whit e with t h e pur e st sandal j uic e ; -
an e arring hung from o n e e ar ; sh e wore a lotus petal in -
t h e ear soft a s a budding digit of the moon

, sh e wa s clad
1
in robes o f the kalpa tree clear a s moonlight and in t h e -
,
garb that con sort e d with that hour she stood re ve aled lik e
the very goddess of moonrise a s she rest e d o n the hand ,
off e red by M ad ale kh a Dra w ing near she showed a grac e .

,
prompt e d by love and took h e r seat 0 11 the ground wh e r e , ,
servants are wont to sit like a maiden of low degree ; an d ,
Can d r ap i d a too though oft e n e ntreated by M ad ale kh a t o

, ,
sit on t h e rocky s e at took his plac e on t h e ground b y ,
M ad ale kh a and w hen all t h e w omen w e r e s e ated he mad e

a n e ff ort to sp e ak saying Princ e ss to one w ho is thy ‘
, , ,
slave and whom even a glanc e gladd e ns there needs not

, ,
the favour of speech with thee far less so gr e at a grace a s ,
this ( 3 9 2) F or d e ep ly a s I think I cannot see in mys e lf

.
, ,
a n y worth that this height o f favour may b e fi t Most .
nobl e and swe e t in its laying a side o f pride is this t h y

c ourtesy in that such grac e is shown to o n e but newly t h y
,
se rvant P e rchance thou thinkest m e a churl that must

.
be wo n by gifts Bl e ssed truly is the s e rvant over whom

.
, ,
i s thy s w ay ! How gr e at honour is bestow e d on t h e

s ervants deemed worthy of t h e bestowa l of thy commands .
But the body is a gift at the s e rvic e of any man and lif e i s ,
l i ght as grass so that I am a shamed in my devotion t o

,
g re e t thy coming with such a gift Here am I her e my .

,
body my life my sens e s ! Do thou by accepting o n e o f

, , ,
t hem raise it to honour

’
.
,
“
M ad ale kh a smilingly r e pli e d to this spe e ch of his :
‘
"
E nough Princ e My frien d K a dambari is pained by thy
,
.
1
A t re e of p ar a dis e .
1 61
too gr e at c e remony Why sp e akest thou thu s ? S h e

.
accepts thy words without furth e r talk A nd w hy too is .

, ,
sh e brought to suspens e by these too fl at t e r i n spe ches ’
g e 2
and then waiting a short tim e sh e b e gan afresh : How
, ,
‘
is King T arapi da how Q ue e n V i lasavat i h o w the noble

, ,
Q ukan asa 2 What is U j j ayi ni like and how far o ff is i t ?

‘
What is t h e land of Bharata 2 A nd is the world o f mortals

pl e a sant 2 S o she questioned him ( 3 9 3) After spending
’
.
som e tim e in such talk K a dambar i rose and summonin g , ,
K e yfi raka who was lying n e ar Can drap i da and her at

, ,
t e n d an t s sh e w e nt up to her sleeping chamber

,
There -
.
sh e adorned a couch strewn with a coverlet of white

silk Can drap i da however o n his rock passed the night
.
, ,
like a moment in thinking whil e his feet wer e rubb e d by ,
K e yur aka o i the humility beauty and depth o f K a dam

, , ,
bari s character t h e causel e ss kindness o f M ah acve t a the

’
, ,
courtesy o f M adale kh a the dignity of the attendants the , ,
great splendour of the Gandharva world and the charm of ,
the K i m p ur u sh a land .
“
Then the moon lord o f stars weary o f being kept
‘
, ,
awake by the sight o f K a dambar i descended as if to sleep , , ,
to the forest o n t h e shore with its palms and t am alas , ,
t a lis banyans and kan dalas cool with the breeze from
,
1
, ,
2
the hardly stirred ripples A s though with the feverish .
sigh s of a woman grieving for her l over s approachin g ’
absence the moonlight faded a way

,
Lakshmi having .
,
pa ssed the night on the moon lotuses lay o n the sun ,
lotuses as though love had sprung up in her at the sight

,
o f Can d r ap i d a A t the close o f night when the palace

.
,
l amps grew pal e as if dwindling in longing a s they remem

,
’
ber e d the blows of the lotuses in maidens ears the ,
br e e ze s of dawn fragrant with creeper fi o we r s were wa i t e d

,
-
, ,
spor t ive with the sighs of Love weary from ceaselessly

discharging his s hafts the stars were eclipsed by the rising
da w n and took their abode a s through fear in the thic k
, , ,
1
T ali , a i n k d o f p lm K n d l pl n t
a a a a, a a ai n .
2
O r , re a in d g i l thi ck comin g
ay r a a , .
1 62
1
creeper bowers of Mount Mandara ( 3 9 4 ) Then when the .
sun arose with its o rb crimson as i f a glow r e mained from

,
dwelling in the hearts of the c akr avakas Can d r api d a rising , ,
from the rock bathed his lotus face said his morning
, ,
prayer took his betel and then bade K e yfi raka se e

, ,
whether Princess K a dambari wa s awake o r no and where ,
she wa s ; and when it wa s announc e d to him by the latt e r

o n his return that sh e was with M ah acv e t a in the bower o i
the courtyard below the Mandara palace h e start e d to se e ,
the daught e r o f the Gandharva king Th e re he beh e ld .
M ah acve t é surrounded by wandering a sc e tic women like

visib l e godd e sses o f prayer with marks of white ash o n ,
their brow an d hands quickly moving a s th e y t urned their

,
rosaries ; b e aring the vow of i a s follow e rs clad in robes ’
tawny with mineral dyes bound to wear red c l oth robed in , ,
the ruddy bark o f ripe cocoanuts o r girdled with thick ,
white cloth with fan s of whit e cloth ; with staves matt e d ,
l ocks deer skins and bark dress e s ; w ith t h e marks of mal e

,
-
,
a scetics reciting the pure praises of Ci va Durg a K a rtikeya , ,
Vi cr avasa Krishna A valo ki t e cvara the Arhat V iri fi c a

2
, , , ,
.
M ah acve t a herself wa s showing honour to the elder kins

women o f the kin g the foremost o f the z enana by salut e s
, , ,
court e ous speeches by rising to meet them and placing reed

,
seats f o r them .
( 39 5 ) H e b e held K a dambar i also giving her attention

to the recitation o f the Mah a bh a rata that transcends all ,
’
good omens by N ar ad a s swe e t voiced daughter with an
,
-
,
accompaniment of fl u t e s soft a s the murmur o f bees ,
played by a pair of K i n n aras sitting behin d her She wa s .
looking in a mirror fi xe d before her a t h e r lip pal e a s ,
beeswax when the honey is gone bath e d in the moonlight ,
o f her teeth though within it wa s dark e ned by betel

, She .
wa s b e ing honoured by a sunwise turn in d e parting by a

tame goose wand e ring lik e the moon in a fi xe d circle with ,
wide eyes raised to her si ri sh a e arrings in its l onging for

1 The
V i sh nu P ur an a B k ch c all s M an da a t h e Mo u n t ain of
,
. . r
t h e E ast ; G an dh am ad an a of t h e So u th ; V i p u la of t h e W e st ; an d
, ,
S u p zt r cv a ,
'
of t h N o th e r .
2 F ath o f K v
er u era .
3
B hm a
ra .
1 64
his o wn abode amidst the salutation s of his troops full o f

j oy curiosity an d wonder : and aft e r greeting t h e rest o f
, ,
the court he spent the day mostly in talk with V ai cam

,
p a yana and P at r ale kh a saying Thus said M a h acv e t a

, ,
‘
,
th us K a da m bari thu s M adale kh a thus T am alika thus

, , ,
K e yuraka
’
No longer d id royal Glory envious at the
.
,
sight o f K adam b ari s beauty fi n d in him her j oy for him

’
night passed in wak e fuln e ss as h e thought with a mind ,
in ceaseless longing of that bright e y e d maiden ,

Next -
.
morning at sunrise he went to his pavilion with his mind

, ,
still fi xe d o n her and sudd e nly sa w K e ur aka e ntering with

, y
a doorkeeper ; and a s the latter w hil e yet far o ff cast , ,
him s e lf on the ground so that his crest sw e pt the floor , ,
C an dr api d a cried Come come greeting him fi rst with a ’
, , ,
sid e long glance then with his heart then with a thrill
, ,
.
T h e n at l ast he hastened forward to give him a hearty and

frank e mbrace and made h im sit down by himself T hen
, .
,
in words brightened by the nectar o f a smile and tran s ,
fused with o ve rfl o wi n g l ove he r e verently asked : Say , ,
K e y uraka is the la dy K a dambari well and her friends

, , ,
and her retinu e and the lady M ah acve t a 2 With a low

,
’
b o w K e yuraka a s though he had b e e n bathed anointed

, , , ,
and refreshed by the smile that t h e prince s deep a ff ection ’
had prompted r e plied respectfully

,
She is now well in that my lord asks for her ,

And .
’
then he showed a folded l otus leaf wrapped in wet cloth -

, ,
with its op e ning closed by lotus fi lam e n t s and a seal o f ,
tender lotus fi lam e n t s set in a paste of wet sandal ( 3 9 8 ) .
This he O pened and sho w e d t h e tokens sent by K a dambari

, ,
s uch as milky b e t e l n u ts of em e rald hue with their shells

-
,
r emoved and surrounded with fresh sprays betel l eaves ,

-
p ale a s the che e k of a hen parrot camphor like a so l id -

,
piece of i a s moon and sandal ointment pleasant with

’
r ich musk scent The l ady K a dambari said h e salutes

.
,
’
thee with folded hands that kiss her cr e st and that are ,
r osy with the rays of her tender fi n ge r s ; M ah é cve t a with a
g reeting and embrace ; M ad ale kh a with a reverence and a

bro w bathed in the moonlight o f t h e crest gem s he has let -
1 65
fall ; t h e maid e ns with the points of t h e fi sh ornaments -
and the parting of their hair resting on the ground ; and

T arali ka with a prostration to touch the dust o f thy f e et
, .
M ah acve t a sends thee this message : Happy truly are “
they from whose eyes thou art never abs e nt For in truth .
t h y Virtu e s snowy ,cold a s the moon,

when thou art b y in ,
thin e abs e nce burn like sunlight Truly all yearn for t h e .
pa st day as though it were that day whereon fate with such

toil brought forth amrita Without the e the royal Gand . r
h arva city is languid as at the end o f a feast ( 3 9 9 ) Thou .
knowest that I have surrendered all things yet my heart ,
in my despite desires to see thee who art so un des e rvedly

,
kind K a dambari moreover is far from well She recalls

.
, ,
.
'
thee with thy sm ilin g f ac e like Love himself Thou by .

,
the honour of thy return canst make her proud of having ,
some virtues of h e r own For r e spect shown by the nobl e .
must needs confer honour And thou must forgive the .
troubl e o f knowing such a s we F or thine own nobility .
gives this boldn e ss to our address A n d here is this C e sh a .
”
necklace which wa s left by thee on thy couch
, S o saying .
,
he loosed it from his band where it was Visible by r e a son ,
of the long rays that shot through t h e int e rstic e s o f the fi n e

thread and placed it in the fan bearer s hand
,
-
’
.
This indeed is the reward of doing homage at

‘
, ,
M ah acve t a s feet that the lady K a dambar i should lay so

’
”
,
great a weight of honour o n her slave a s to remember him ,
said Can dr api da a s he placed all on his head and accepted

,
1
it
. The necklace he put round his neck aft e r anointing it ,
with an ointment cool pleasant and fragrant a s it w e r e, , ,
with the beauty of K ad am b ari s ch e e ks distilled or the ’
light o f h e r smile li q u e fi e d o r her heart melted or h e r , ,
Virtues throbbing forth ( 4 0 0 ) T aking som e b e tel he

.
,
rose and stood with his left arm o n K e yfi raka s shoulder

,
’
and then dismissed the courtiers who were gladly payin g ,
their wonted homage and at length went to see his elephant

,
Gan dh am ii dan a There he stayed a short time and after

.
,
he had himself given to the elephant a handful of gra ss ,
1
A ph s d n ot i g
ra e e n re a di ss to
ne c he v . V . su p r a , p.1 5 .
1 66
that b e i n g j agg e d with the ray s of his nails w a s lik e lotus

, ,
fi b r e he went to the stable o f his favourite steed

, O n the .
way he turned his face now on th i s side now o n that to , ,
g l ance at his retinue an d the porters und e rsta n ding his , ,
wish forbade al l to fo ll ow him an d dismissed the r e tinue

, , ,
so that he entered the stable with K e yfi raka alone The .
grooms bowed and d e part e d with eyes bewildered by terror ,
at th e ir dismissal and the prince set straight I n dréyu dh a s

,
’
c l oth which had fall e n a little on o n e side pushed back his

, ,
mane tawny as a lion s which was fa ll ing on his eyes and

,
’
ha l f closing them and then neg l ig e ntly resting his foot o n

, ,
the peg of the tethering rope and l eaning again st the stab l e -
,
wall h e eagerly asked

,
Te ll me K e yfi raka what ha s happened in the Gand

, ,
h arva court since my departure 2 In what occupation ha s

the Gandharva princess spent the time 2 What were
M ah acve t a and M ad ale kh a doing 2 What talk wa s there 2
How were you and the retin ue emp l oyed 2 And wa s there
’
a ny ta l k about me 2 Then K e yfi raka told him a l l
‘
Listen prince O n thy departure the lady K a dambari
, .
, ,
with her retinue c l imbed t o the palace roof making in the

, ,
maidens pa l ace with t h e sound of anklets the b e at o f fare

’
w ell drums that rose from a thousand h e arts ; ( 4 01 ) and

sh e ga zed o n thy path gray with the dust o f the cavalcade ,
.
When thou wert o u t of sight she laid her face on Mah a c ,

’
vet a s shoulder and in her l ove sprinkled the region o f
, , ,
thy j ourney with glances fair a s the Milky Ocean and , ,
w arding 0 11 the sun s touch as it were with the moon ’
, ,
a ssuming in j ea l ousy the guis e of a wh i te umbrella sh e ,
long remained ther e Thence she r e luctantly tor e herself .
away and came down and after but a short rest in the ,
pavilion she arose and went to the pleasaunc e where thou

,
hadst been She was guided by bees murmuring in t h e

.
fl o we r s o f ob l ation ; startled by the cry of the house

peacocks she checked their note a s they l ooked up at the
,
shower like rays o f her nails by the circ l ets which l ay

-
,
loose round her throat ; at every step she let h er hand

r e st on cr e ep e r t w igs white with fl o we r s and her min d o n
-
,
1 68
that she wa s in the ice bower o n the bank of the lotus -
tank below the M at t am ayura plea saunce ; and then t h e

princ e guided by K e yuraka w e nt some distance through
, , .
the women s garden and beheld day grow gre e n and th e , ,
sunb e ams turn into gras s by t h e r e fl e c t i o n of the plantain

groves with their e m e rald glow and ther e h e beh e ld ,
K a dambari ( 4 1 0 ) Th e n she looked w ith tremulous glanc e

.
at her retinue a s coming in one aft e r another they

, , ,
announc e d Can d r ap i d a s approach and ask e d e ach by ’
name : Tell me ha s h e r e ally com e and hast thou se e n

, ,
him 2 How far o ff is he 2 She gazed with ey e s grad u ally ’
bright e ning as sh e saw him ye t afar o ff and ros e from h e r ,
couch of fl o we r s standing like a ne w ly caught el e phant

,
-
bound t o h e r po st and trembling in ev e ry limb Sh e wa s

, .
veiled in b e es drawn as vassals by the fragranc e of h e r

flow e ry couch all murmuri n g ; h e r upper garment w as in
,
confusion and sh e sought to p l ace o n her bosom t h e

,
shining necklac e ; ( 4 1 1 ) she seemed to b e g t h e support of

a hand from her o wn shado w a s she laid her left hand on
the j e w e lled pavem e nt ; sh e s e e m e d to rec e ive herself as a
1
g ift by sprinkling with her right hand moist with t h e toil
of binding to gether her falling locks she poured forth t e ars

of j oy cool a s though t h e sandal j uice of her sectarial mark -
had e nter e d in and b e e n united with them ; she wash e d

with a line of gla d tears h e r smoo t h ch e eks that the po ll e n ,
from her garland had ting e d w ith g ray a s if in eage rn e ss ,
that the image of her belov e d might fall ther e on ; she

s e e med to be drawn for w ard by her long e yes fastened on
Can d r api d a s fac e with its pupil fi xe d in a sidelong glanc e

’
, ,
and h e r head some w hat bent a s if from t h e we ight o f t h e ,
sandal mark on h e r bro w

-
.
And Can dr ap i d a approaching bo w e d fi r st befor e , ,
M ah acve t a then courteously saluted K a dambar i and wh e n

, ,
sh e had returned his obeisance and seat e d herself again ,
on the couc h and the portress had brought him a gold

,
stool w ith legs gleaming with gems h e pushed it a w ay ,
1 Po u ri n g wat er in to t he h nda w as t h e c o n fi r m at i o n of a gi ft . V .
sup r a , p . 1 50 .
9
with his foot and sat down on the ground Th e n K e yuraka

,
.
presented P at rale kh a saying : This is Princ e Can d rap i d a s

’
betel bo x b e ar e r and most favour e d fri e nd A n d K a dam

’
- .
bar i looking on her thought : Ho w great partiality does

Praj a pati bestow o n mortal wo m
, ,
en ! And a s P at rale kh a ’
bowed r e spectfully she bad e her approach and placed h e r , ,
close behind herself amidst the curious glances o f all her ,
retinu e ( 4 1 2
.
) Filled even at fi r st sight with gr e at love f o r
her K a dambari often touched h e r caressingly with h e r

,
slender hand .
Now Can dr api d a having quickly performed all the

, ,
court e si e s of arrival beheld t h e state of Ci t r ar at h a s ,

’
daughter and thought : S ur e ly my heart is dull in that

, ,
it cannot ev e n no w beli e ve B e it so I w ill nevertheless . .

, ,
ask her with a skilfully devised speech 1

Then h e said - .
’
aloud : Princ e ss I know that this pain w ith its u n , ,
ceasing torment ha s com e o n the e from love Ye t sl e nd e r

,
.
,
maiden it torments th e e not a s u s I would gladly by t h e

,
.
,
o ff e ring of mys e lf r e store the e to h e alth F or I pity the e

,
.
a s thou t re m b le st and a s I se e thee fallen under the pain

of lov e my heart too falls prostrat e For thin e arms ar e
, , ,
.
sl e nd e r and unadorn e d and thou b e arest in thine eye a red ,
lotus like a h yb i sc u s from t h e de e p w asting of f e ver An d

2
.
all thy r e tinu e weep c e as e lessly for thy pain Acc e pt thin e .
ornam e nts Take of thin e o w n accord thy rich e st adorn

.
ments for a s t h e creep e r shin e s hidden in be e s an d

fl o we r s so shouldst thou
’
.
,
Then K a dambari though nat urally simple by reason ,
o f her youth yet from a knowledge taught by lov e under

, , ,
stood all the meaning o f this darkly e xpress e d sp e ech -

.
( 41 3 ) Yet not r e alizing that she had come to such a point in

,
her desires supported by her modesty sh e r e main e d silent

, ,
.
She sent forth how e ve r the radianc e o f a smile at tha t

, ,
moment o n some pretext a s though to se e hi s fac e darken e d ,
by the bees which wer e gather e d round its sw e e tn e ss .
M ad ale kh a therefor e repli e d : Prince what shall I say ? ,
This pain is cru e l b e yond words Mor e over in o n e of so .

,
1
T r an spos e i ti .
2
H y bi se u s m i t t a bi li s ch n g s co l o
a e ur th i c
r e a d ay .
70
d e lica t e
a nature what does not tend to pain ? E ve n cool
lotus fi b re s turn to fi re and moonligh t burns Seest thou
-
.
not the pain produced in her mind by the br e e z es of the

fans 2 Only her s trength o f mind keeps her ali t fe B ut .
’
in heart alone did K a dam b ari a dmit M ad ale kh a s w ords as ’
an answer to the princ e His mind how e v e r w as in .

, ,
suspense from the doubtfulnes s of her m e aning and after ,
spending some time in a ffectionat e talk with M ah acve t a at ,
l ength with a great e f fort he withdrew himself and l e ft ,
K adam b ari s palace to go to the camp

’
.
A s he was about to mount his hors e K e yur aka came ,
up behin d him and said : Prince M ad ale kh a b i ds m e say

, ,
that Princess K a dambari ever since she beheld P at rale kh zt

'
, ,
ha s been charmed by her and wishes to k e ep her She sh all ,

.
return later ( 4 1 4 ) Having heard her message thou must

.
,
’ ’
decide Happy replied the prince and enviable is
.
, ,
P at rale kh a in that she is honoured by so rare a favo ur by

,
the princ e ss L e t her be taken i n .

S o saying he went to .
’
,
the camp .
A t the mome n t o f his arrival he beheld a l etter carrier -
’
well known to him that had com e from his father s pr e sence
, ,
and stoppin g hi s horse he asked from afar with eyes

, , ,
widen e d by a ff ection : Is my father well and all his ,
retinue 2 an d my mother and a ll the z enana 2 Then the ’
man approaching with a reverence saying

, As thou , ,
’
sayest prince gave him two letters Then the prince
, ,
.
,
placing them 0 11 his head and himself O pening them in ,
order rea d a s follows : Hai l from U j j ayi ni Kin g Tar a

,
‘
.
p i da kin g o f kings whose lotus feet are made the crest o n

, ,
-
the head of all kings greets Can dr api d a the home of al l , ,
good fortune kiss i ng him o n his head which kisses the

, ,
circle o f the fl ashin g rays o f his crest j ewels Our subj ects .
are well Why ha s so long a time passed s i nce we have

.
s een thee 2 Our heart longs eagerly for thee The queen .
and the z enana pin e for thee Therefore let the cutting .
,
short o f this lett e r be a cause o f thy setting o u t And in .

’
the second letter sent by Qu kan asa he read words o f like

, ,
import V ai cam p éy an a too at that mom e nt cam e u p and

.
, , ,
172
Salut e with bent head and sunwis e turn the f e et of Mah a c

V e t a Tell M ad ale kh a that a h e arty e mbrac e preceded by
.
,
an obeisance is o ff ered her ; salute Tam alika and inquir e

, ,
on my beh alf after all K adam b ari s r e tinu e L et bl e ss e d ’

.
H e m akut a b e honour e d by me with upraised hands Aft e r .

’
giving this m e ssage h e set V ai cam p ayan a over the camp , ,
instr u cting his fri e n d to march slowly without overtasking

1
,
t h e army T h e n h e mounte d accompanied by his cavalry

.
, ,
mostly mounted on young horses wearing the grace of a ,
forest o f spears breaking up the earth w ith th e ir hoofs

, ,
and shaking Kail a sa w ith their j oyful n e ighing as they

set out ; and though his heart wa s e mpty in the fresh ,
separation from K a dambari h e a sked t h e letter carri e r w ho ,

-
clung to his saddle concerning t h e way to U jj ay in i .
( 4 1 7 4 2 6 cond e n s e d )
-
And o n the way h e beh e ld in t h e
forest a red fl ag n e ar w hich wa s a shrine of Durg a guarded
, ,
by an o ld Dravidian hermit who made his abod e th e reby ,

.
( 4 2 6 ) Dismounting h e e nt e red and bent reve r e ntly

“
, ,
befor e the godd e ss and bowing again aft e r a sunwise turn , , ,
he wandered about interest e d in the calm o f the place , ,
and b e held on o n e sid e t h e wrathful h e rmit howling and ,
shout i ng at him ; and at the sight toss e d as he was by ,
passionate longing i n his absenc e from K a dambari h e ,
cou l d not forbear smiling a moment ; but he ch e cked his

soldiers who we r e la u ghing and beginning a quarr e l with
,
t h e h e rmit and at length with gr e at di ff i culty h e calm e d

-
, ,
him with many a soothing and courteous speech and ,
a sked him about his birthplace ca ste knowl e dge wif e and , , ,
children wealth age and t h e ca use of his a sc e tic vow O n

, , ,
.
b e ing asked t h e latter d e scrib e d himself and t h e pr i nce

, ,
was greatly inter e st e d by him a s h e garrulously describ e d

his past h e ro i sm b e auty and w e alth and thus div e rt e d
, , ,
his mind in its sor e ness of b e reavement ; and having ,
become fri e ndly with him he caused betel to be o ff er e d to ,
him .
( 42 7 ) When t h e sun set the princ e s e ncamp e d ,
2
und e r the trees that chanced to be n e ar ; the golden
1
R d ea hr i d dp i ga n t a v y a m ,
su f i n d m st g ‘
his r e u o .
’
2
O r, sa mp a/nn a , u ll r n, f -
g ow h v g f i t n d fl w a in ru a o e r s,
’
a cco di n g to
r
t he comm n t y e ar .
1 73
saddles o f the steeds w e r e hung on bough s ; t h e st e eds

showed the e xertion s th e y had gone through from t h e ,
t o ssi n g of th e ir manes dusty with rolling on t h e e arth and ,
after they had tak e n some handfuls of grass and b e en

w atered and w e re refr e shed they w e r e teth e r e d w ith t h e
, , ,
spears dug into t h e ground b e fore th e m ; the soldi e ry ,
w earied with t h e day s march appointed a watch and

1 ’
, ,
gladly went to sle e p o n heaps o f l e aves near t h e horses

the encampment wa s bright a s day for the darkness w as ,
drunk up by the light of many a bivouac fi r e and Candr a ,
pi da w e nt to a couch prepared for him by his r e tinue and ,
pointed o u t to him by his porters in front of the p lace ,
w h e re I n d rayu dh a wa s teth e r e d But the v e ry mom e nt h e .
lay down r e stlessn e ss seized his heart and overcome by , ,
pain he dismissed the princes and said nothing e ven to

, ,
the special favourit e s who stood behind him With clos e d .
e yes he again and again went in heart to t h e K i m p u r u sh a
land With fi xe d thought he recalled H e m akut a

. He .
thought o n the spontaneous kindness of M ah acve t a s ’
favours 2
H e constantly longed for the sight of K a dambari
.
a s his life s highest fruit H e continually desir e d the

’
.
converse o f M adale kh a so charming in its absence of prid e, .
H e wished to see T am ali ka H e looked forward to K e y u .
raka s coming H e b e held i n fancy the winter palac e H e

’
. .
often sighed a long feverish sigh H e bestowed on the , .
G esha necklace a kindness b e yond that for his kin ( 4 2 8 ) .
H e thought he saw fortunate P at rale kh a standing b e hind

him Thus he pas sed the night without sl e ep ; and rising
.
,
’
at dawn he f u lfi lle d the hermit s wish by wealth poured
,
o u t at his desire and soj ourning at pleasant spots on the

, ,
w ay in a few day s he reach e d U j j ayi ni A thousand

,
.
hands like lotuses of o ff ering to a guest raised in reverent

,
salutation were raised by the citizens in th e ir confusion

,
and j oy at his s u dden coming a s he then un e xp e ctedly ,
e ntered the city T he king heard from the retinu e hastening

3
.
to be fi r st to t e ll him that Can d r api d a wa s at the gate and ,
1 R d khi n n
ea e .
2
R dpea r a sad d n am .
Re d 3
a j
°
a n et t, et c .
1 74
bewi l der e d by sudden gladn e ss with st e ps slow from t h e ,
weight of j oy h e went to m e et his son Lik e Mandara h e

, .
,
drew to himself a s a Milky Ocean his spotless silk mantle

that was slipping down ; like the kalpa tre e with i t s -
,
show e r of choic e pearls h e rained t e ars o f gladness ; he ,
wa s followed b y a thousand chiefs that were round him

chiefs with topknots white with age anoint e d with sandal , ,
1
wearing untorn linen robes bracelets turba n s cr e sts and , , ,
wreaths bearing swords stav e s umbrella s and cowries

, , , ,
making t h e earth app e ar rich in Kail a sas and Milky

Oceans The prince s e e ing h i s fath e r from afar dis
.
, ,
mounted and touched the groun d with a h e ad garlanded

,
by the rays o f his crest j ewels T hen his father stretched -

.
o u t his arm s bidding him approach and embrac e d h i m

, ,
c l osely ; and wh e n he had paid his respects to all the

honourable person s who were ther e h e was led by the kin g ,
to Vi lasavat i s palac e ( 4 2 9 ) His comin g was gr e ete d by

’
.
her and her retinu e and when h e had p e rformed al l th e ,
auspicious cer e moni e s of arrival he stayed some time in ,
talk about his e xp e dition of conquest and then went to see ,
Q u k an asa Having d uly stayed ther e som e tim e

. he told ,
him that Vai cam p éy an a wa s at t h e camp and well and saw ,
M an o r am a; and th e n r e turning he m e chanically 2

p e r ,
for m ed the ceremonies o f bathing and so forth in Vi lasa , ,
vati s pa l ac e O n the morrow he went to his own palace

’
.
,
and there with a mind tossed by anxiety he d e em e d that

, ,
not only himself but his palace and the city and indeed , , , ,
the w hole world wa s but a void without K a dambari and , ,
so ,
in his long i ng to hear news o f her he awaited the ,
return o f P at rale kh a a s though it were a festiva l or the , ,
winning of a boon o r the time o f the rising o f amrita ,

.
A few days l ater M e gh an ad a came with P at rale kh é

“
,
and led her i n ; and a s she made obeisance from afar ,
Can dr api d a smil e d aff ectionately and rising reverently , , ,
embraced her ; for though she wa s naturally dear to him ,
s he was now ye t dearer a s having won a fresh splendour

1
V sup r a p 1 2 wh e r e t h e r ob e s o f t h e ch i e fs ar e to rn by th e ir
.
, .
,
o rn a m n ts i n th
e e ir h sty mov m n ts
a e e .
2
P a r a va ga i va , or ,wi th mi n d n sl v d to oth tho ghts e a e er u .
’
176
l ess e yelashes As she looked she formed her resolve and

.
, ,
a s if longing to enter love s fi r e she w as bathed in per

’
spiration ; whereat a t rembling came upon h e r so that , ,
shaking i n every limb a s though fearing to fal l sh e was ,
seiz ed by despair .
But when I who kn e w her thoughts fi xe d my mind

, ,
o n her and fastening my eyes o n her face bade h e r speak

, , , ,
sh e s e emed to be restrained by her o w n trembling limb s
with a t o e that m arked the floor a s if for retr e at she ,
s e e med to rub o ut her o wn imag e in sham e that it should

h e ar h e r secret ; ( 4 3 2 ) with her lotus foot its anklets all -
se t n lin g by the scratching o f the fl o o r sh e pushed —

a side the tame ge e se ; with a strip of silk m ade into a fan
for her hot face sh e drove away the bees on her ear
,
lotuses ; to the peacock she gave like a bribe a piece of , ,
b e tel brok e n by her t e eth and gazing oft e n o n every side

lest a wood goddess shou l d listen much a s she long e d to
-
,
speak ,
she was checked in her utt e rance by sha m e and ,
could not speak a word 1

Her voic e in spit e o f her greatest
.
,
e ff orts was wholly burnt up by lov e s fi r e born e away by

,
’
a ceaseless flow of t e ars overwhelmed by onrushing griefs , ,
broken by love s fallin g shafts banish e d by invading sighs

’
, ,
r estrain e d by the hundr e d cares that dw e lt in h e r heart ,
and drunk by the bees that ta sted her breath so that it ,
could not come forth In brief she made a pear l rosary to .

,
count her many griefs with the bright tears that fell with
o u t touching her cheeks a s with bent h e a d sh e ma de the ,
v e ry image of a storm Then from h e r shame l e arnt its .
full grac e ; mod e sty a tran scendant modesty ; simplicity

, ,
simplicity ; court e sy court e sy ; ( 4 3 3 ) fear timidity ; , ,
coquetry its quintessenc e ; despair its own nature ; and

, ,
c harm a further charm And so when I asked her .

,
” h
, ,
“
Princess what means this 2 s e wiped her r e ddened
,
e yes and holding a garland woven by the fl o we r s of the

, ,
bower with arms which soft a s lotus fib r e s seemed m e ant ,

-
,
to hold her fi rm ly in t h e e xcess o f h e r gri e f sh e raised o n e ,
e yebrow a s if gazing on the path of d e ath

,
and sighed a ,
1 P l a c i n g a stop aft e r a di t i t m i n st e a d of a ft e r n i h sh a m
g g e .
1 77
long fevered sigh And as in desire to know the cau s e of

, .
,
her sorrow I pressed her to tell me sh e seemed to write

, ,
o n the ke t aki petals scratched by her nails in her sham e ,
and so deliver her message S h e moved her low e r lip in .
eagerness to speak and seemed to b e whispering t o t h e ,
be e s who drank her breath and thus she remained some ,
time with eyes fi xe d o n the ground .
A t last often turning her g l ance to my face she

, ,
seemed to purify with the tears that fell from her brimming
,
eyes the voice that the smoke o f Love s fi re had dimmed

,
’
.
And in the guise of tears she bound up with the rays of

, ,
her teeth fl ash i n g in a forced smile the strange syllables

, ,
o f what she h ad meant to say but forgotten in her tremor , ,
and with great di ffic u lt y betook herself to speech Pat ra .
”
lekh a she said to me
, by rea s on o f my great favour f o r ,
the e neither father mother M ah é cve t é M adalekh a nor

, , , , ,
life itself is dear to me a s thou ha st been since I fi rst

beheld thee ( 4 3 4) I know not why my heart has cast o ff
.
all my friends and trusts in thee alone To whom else can .
I complain o r tell my humi l iation or giv e a s h are in my

, ,
woe 2 When I have shown thee the unbearable burd e n o f

my woe I will die B y my life I swear to thee I am put to
, .
shame by even my own heart s knowledge of my story ; ’
how much more by another s 2 How should such as I stain ’
by ill report a race pure a s moonb e ams and lose t h e “

,
honour which has descended from my sires and turn my ,
thoughts on unmaidenly levity acting thus without my ,

’
father s will o r my mother s bestowal or my elders con
’
,
’
gratulations without any announc e m e nt w ithout sending

, ,
of gifts o r showing of pictures ? Timidly as one u n p ro

, ,
’
t e c t e d have I b e en led to deserve my parents blame by
,
that overweening Can drapi d a Is this I pray the conduct .

, ,
of noble me n ? Is this the fruit o f o u r m e e t in g t h at my ,

.
heart tender a s a lotus fi lam e n t is n o w crushed ? F o r

, ,
maiden s should not be lightly treated by youths ; the fi re

o f love is wont to consum e fi r st their r e serve and then their
heart : t h e arrows o f love pierce fi r st their dignity and

then the ir l i fe Therefore I bid t hee farewell till o u r
.
,
12
1 78
m eeting in another birth f or none is dea rer to me than ,
thou ( 4 35) B y carrying out my resolve of death I shall

.
,
”
c l eanse my o wn stain S o saying s he wa s silent
.
, .
Not knowing the truth of her tale I so rr dwf ully as , ,
if a shamed afraid bewild e red and bereft o f sense adj ured

, , , ,
her saying : Princess I long to hear Tel l m e what

,
“
, .
Prince Can drapi d a ha s done What o ff ence ha s been com .
m i t t e d 2 B y what discourtesy has he ve x ed that l otu s sof t -
heart o f thine that none should ve x 2 When I have heard

,
this thou shalt die on my lifeles s body

,
Thus urged she .
,
again began : I will tell the e ; listen carefully In my

“
.
dreams that cunning villain comes daily and employs in

secret messages a caged parrot and a starling In my .
dreams h e bewild e red in mind with vain desire s writes in

, ,
my earrings to appoint meetings H e sends l o ve letters .

-
with their syllables washed away fi lle d with mad hopes , ,
most sweet and showing his o wn state by the l ines of tears

,
stained with pigment fallin g on them B y the glow of his .
feelings he dyes my feet against my will In his reckless .
in solence he prides him se lf on his own r e fl e c t i o n in my

nails ( 4 3 6 ) In his unwarranted boldness he embraces me
.
against my will in the gardens when I am alone and almost ,
dead from fear o f being caught a s the clinging o f my silke n ,
skirts to the branches hinders my steps and my friends the ,
creepers seize and deliver me to him Naturally crooked .

,
he teaches the very essence of crookedness to a h e art by

nature simple by the bla z onry he paints o n my breast .
F ul l of guileful fl at t e ry he fans with his cool breath my

,
cheeks all wet and shining a s wi t h a breeze from the

wav e s o i my heart s lon ging H e boldly places the rays o f
.
’
.
his nails like young barley sheaves o n my e ar though his -

,
hand is empty because its l otus ha s fallen from his grasp

,
relaxed in weariness H e audaciously draws me by the

.
hair to qua ff the sweet wine o f his breath inhaled by him ,
when h e watered his favourit e bakul fl o we r s Mock e d by -

.
his own folly he demands on his hea d the touch o f my

,
1
foot destined for the palac e aco ka tree
,
In his ut ter
-
.
ll s o to t h e i d e a th at t h e ago k a wo u l d b u d wh e n to u ch e d by
1 An a u i n
t h e foot of a b e au t i fu l wom an .
180
Moreover when tender women are pos s essed by ,
him they ga ze and the s ky is crowded with a thousand

, ,
images of their beloved They paint t h e loved form ; t h e .
earth i s a canva s all t o o small T h e y reckon the virtu e s o f

‘
their hero ; number itself fails them Th e y listen to talk .
about their dearest the Goddess o f Speech herself seems

‘
all t o o silent T hey muse on t h e j oys of un i on with him

.
who is their life ; and time itself is all t o o short to their

heart ” .
S h e pond e red a moment o n this ere sh e replied

As thou sayest P at rale kh a L ove has led me into tender , ,
ness for the prince F o r all th e se sign s and more are .
found in me Thou art one with my own heart and I a sk

.
,
thee to te l l me what I should now do 2 I am all unversed

1 n such matt e rs Moreover i f I were forced to tel l my .
,
parents I should be so a shamed that my heart would

,
choose death rather than life ” .
Then again I answered E nough princess Why ,
thi s ne e dl e ss talk o f death a s a n e cessary condition 2 1
S urely fair maiden though thou hast not sought to please

, ,
him Love ha s in kindness given thee thi s boon

, Why .
tell thy parents ? L ove him self like a parent plans for , ,
thee ; ( 4 3 9 ) like a mother he approves thee like a father , ,
he besto w s thee ; like a girl friend he kindles thine aff e c ,
tion ; like a nurse he teaches thy tender age t h e secrets o f ,
love Why sho u l d I tell the e of thos e who hav e them selves
.
chosen their l ord s 2 F o r were it n ot so t h e ordinance of ,
the sv ayam vara in o u r law books would be m e aningl e ss

2 -
.
B e at rest then princ e ss E nough o f this talk of death ‘
.
, , .
I conj ure thee by touching thy lotus foot to s e nd me I -

.
am ready to go I wil l bring back to thee princess thy .

, ,
heart s belove d ’ ” .
When I ha d said this she seemed to drink me in ,
with a tender glance ; she wa s confused by an ardour o f

1
A n wb an d h a , o f t h fou n c ss y con di t i on s i n w i ti n g
one e r e e ar r .
( )
a S bj ct m utt ; ( ) p pos ; ( ) l at i o n b e tw n s bj ct t t d
h e -
a er ur e 0 re ee u e re a e
and it n d ; ( d ) comp t n t p
s e so n to h i t —V V dzt n t sa e e er e ar . .
‘
e
'
a ra ,
’
p 2 4 ; V ac p t y D i ct i o n a y
’
- as
. a a r .
M n ix 9 0
2
a u
,
’
.
, .
18 1
afi e c t i o n
which though restrain ed found a path and , , ,
burst through the reserve that Love s shafts had pierced ’

.
In h e r pleasure at my words sh e cast o ff the silken outer ,
robe which clung to her through her weariness and left it ,
suspend e d on her thrilling limbs She loosened the moon

1
.
b e am necklace o n her neck put there as a noose to hang ,
herse l f and entangled in the fi sh ornaments of her swing

,
ing e arring Yet though her who l e soul wa s in a fever

.
,
o f j oy she supported herself by the modesty which is

,
’
a maiden s natural dower and said : I know thy great ,
“
love B ut how cou l d a woman tender of nature as a young

.
,
c iri sha blossom show such boldness especially o n e so

-
, ,
young a s I 2 ( 44 0) Bold inde e d are they who themselves , ,
s e nd messages o r th e mse l ves del i ver a messag e

,
I a .
,
young maiden am ashamed to send a bold message

2
,
.
What indeed could I say ? Thou art very dear is super

, , ,
’
fl uo u s A m I dear to th e e 2 is a senseless question

‘ ’
. .
My love for thee is great is the speech of t h e shame l ess ,

’
.
‘
Without thee I cannot live ; i s contrary to experie n ce ’
.
‘
L ove conquers me is a reproach o f my o wn fault I ,
’
.
am giv e n to thee by L ove is a bold o ff ering of one s self ,

’ ’
.
T hou art my captive is the daring speech o f immodesty ,

’
.
Th o u m u st needs come is the pride o f fortune I will ‘

“
.
,
come mys e lf is a woman s weaknes s ,

I am wholly _
’
.
‘
devoted to thee is the l ightness of obtruded a ff ection

,
’
I .
send no message from fear o f a rebuff is to wake the ,
sleeper 3
Let me be a warning o f t h e sorrow o f a s ervi ce
.
that is despised is an excess o f tenderness Thou sh alt

,
’
.
know my love by my death is a thought that may not enter ,

’
the
1
I dow
.thee . body s s om J y
,
n on t h e ri e fr o ( a common i d e a in
S sk t w t s
an ri ho l ds ob
r i e r ) , an d poin ts
t he r e o n it s .
2
R d pl c stop ft
e a , S a m d i ga/n t i , an d a e t he a er sva y a nt i ns te d ofa
ft
a e r sa i n di ca n t i .
3 w k sl p g l o
I c , a a e a e e in
. . i n .
182
PART II .
( 44 1 ) I for the comp l etion of the di ffi c ult toi l o f this

HA I L ,
u nfi n i sh e d tale Um a and i a parents of earth whos e

, , ,
sing l e body formed from the union of two ha l ves shows

, ,
neither point o f union nor division .
( 4 4 2 ) I sa l ute N a r a yana creator o f all by whom the

, ,
man lion form wa s manifested happily showing a face

-
,
terrib l e with its tossing mane and displaying in hi s hand ,
quoit sword club and conch

, ,
.
I do homage to my father that lord of speech the , ,
creator by whom that story wa s made th at none else coul d

fa s hion that nob l e man whom al l honour in every hou s e
, ,
and from whom I in reward o f a former l ife received my

, ,
be i ng .
( 44 3 ) When my father rose to the sky o n earth the ,
stream o f the story failed with his voice An d I a s I .

,
saw its un fi n i sh e d state wa s a grief to the good began i t , ,
b ut from no poetic pride .
F o r that the words fl o w w i th such beauty is my father s

’
special gift a single touch o f the ray o f the moon the o ne ,
s ource o f nectar su ffi c e s to melt the moon stone

, .
As other rivers at their full enter the Ganges and by ,
be in g absorbed in it reach the ocean so my speech is cast ,
by me for the comp l etion o f thi s story on the ocean fi o wi ng -
s tream o f my father s eloquence ’

.
1
Ree l ing under the strong sweetnes s o f K a dambar i as
o n e i nto x icated I am bereft o f sen se
, in that I fear n o t t o ,
1 ’
O r, ‘
win e .
184
g oing please s me P at r al e k h a ( 4 5 3 ) It is only when I see

,
thee that I can endure my life ; yet if this desire possess

”
th ee do what thou wilt !
, S o saying she dismissed me ,
w ith many presents .
Then with s lightly downcast face P at ralekh a continue d

The recent kindness of the princess has given me
courage my prince and I am grieved f o r her an d s o I
, , ,
s ay to thee Didst thou act worthily o f thy tender nature

,
’
in leaving her in this state 2
Thus reproached by P at rale kh et and hearing the words
'
of K a dambar i so fu l l o f c o n fl i c t i n g impulses the prince

, ,
b e came confused ; ( 454) and sharing in K édam b ari s feel ’
ing h e a sked P at r ale kh a with tears What am I to do 2

‘
, ,
Love has made me a caus e of so rrow to K a dambari and ,
o f reproach to thee ( 4 5 5 ) And methinks this wa s some

.
cur s e that darkened my mind ; else how was my mind

deceived when clear signs wer e given which would create ,
n o doubt even in a dull mind ? A l l this my fault has

ari s en from a mistake I will therefor e now by d e voting .
,
myself to her e ven with my life act so that th e princess

,
”
,
may know me not t o be o f so hard a heart .
While he thus s poke a portress hastened in and

said : Prince Queen Vi lasavat i sends a message saying
“
, ,
I hear from the talk o f my attendants that P at rale kh ét ,
wh o had stayed behin d ha s now returned An d I love her

,
.
equa l ly with thyself Do thou therefore come an d bring

.
,
h e r with thee The sight of thy lotus face won by a

.
'
,
thousand longings i s r ar e ly given ,

.
’
How my l ife now is tossed with doubts thought the

prin ce . M y mother is sorrowful if even for a moment
“
she see s me not ( 45 7 ) My subj ects love me ; b ut the

.
Gandharva princess loves me more Princ e ss K a dambari .
i s worthy of my wm n i n g and my mind is impatient o f ,
delay ; s o thinking he went t o the queen and spent the

, ,
day in a l onging o f heart hard to bear ; ( 4 5 8 ) while the

night he s pent thinking o f the beauty o f K a dambari which ,
wa s a s a shrine o f lov e .
Thenceforth p l easant talk found n o entrance into

1 85
h im . His friends wor ds seeme d harsh to him ; the conver

’
sation o f hi s kinsmen gave him no delight ( 4 60) His .
body wa s dried up by lov e s fi r e but he did not yi e ld up ’
the tendern e ss o f his heart ( 4 6 1 ) H e despised happ iness .

,
but not se l f contro l -

.
‘
Whi l e he wa s thus drawn forward by strong love which ,
had its life resting o n the goodnes s and beauty of K a dam

bari and held backwards by his v ery deep a ff ection for his
,
parents he beheld o n e day when wandering on the banks

, ,
o f the Sipr a a troop o f horse approaching

, ( 4 62) He .
sent a man to inquire what this might b e and himself ,
crossing the Sipr a where the water rose but to his thigh ,
h e awaited hi s messenger s return in a shrine o f K a rtikeya ’

.
Drawing P at rale kh a to him he said L ook that h orse , ,
man whose face can s carce be descried is K e yfi r aka

( 4 6 3 ) H e then beheld K e y ur ak a throw himself from his
hors e while yet far o ff gray with dust from swift riding , ,
while by his changed appearance his lack o f adornment , ,
his despondent face and his eyes that h e ralded his inward,
grief he announced even without words the evil plight o f

, , ,
K a dambar i Can dr ap i d a lovingly called him a s he hastily

.
bow e d and drew near and embraced him And when he ,

.
had dr awn back and paid his homage the prince havin g
.
, ,
g r a t i fi e d his foll owers by courteous inquiries looked at him ,
eagerly and said , B y the sight o f th e e K e yuraka the

,
“
, ,
well being o f the lady K a dambar i and her attendants is

-
proclaimed When thou art rested and at ease thou sha l t

.
,
t e ll me the cause of thy comin g ; and h e took K e yfi raka

and P at rale kh a home with him on his eleph ant ( 4 6 4 ) .
Then he dismissed his followers and only accompanied by ,
P at r ale kh a he cal l ed K e yii r aka to him and said :

,
Tel l me ,
the messag e o f K a dambar i M adale kh a and M ah acve t é ,

.
“ ”
What shall I say ? replied K e yuraka ; I have no
7
message from any of these F o r when I had entrusted .
P at rale kh a to M e gh an éda and returned and had told of , ,
thy goi ng to U j j ayi n i M ah acve t a looked up wards si ghed , ,

’
a long hot sigh and saying sadly I t is so then re
, , ,
‘
,
turned t o her o wn hermitage t o her penance K a dambari .

,
18 6
'
a s though bereft of conscio usnes s i gnorant of M ah acy e t as ,
departure only opened her eyes after a l ong time scorn

, ,
t ully bidding me te ll M ah acve t a ; and asking M ad ale kh a

'
( 4 6 5 ) if anyone ever had done o r would do such a deed a s , ,
Can dr ap i d a she dismis s ed her attendants threw her s elf

, ,
o n her couch veiled her head and spent the day without
, ,
speaking even to M ad ale kh a who who ll y shared her grief ,

.
When early next morning I went t o her she ga z ed at me ,
l ong with tearful eyes a s if blaming me And I when ,

.
,
thus looked at by my sorrowing mistress , deemed m y

se l f ordered to go and so without telling the princes s I
, , ,
have approached my lord s feet Therefore vouch safe to ’

.
hear attentively the bidding o i K e yfi raka who s e heart is ,
an xi ous to sav e the life of o n e whose sole refuge is in thee .
F o r a s by thy fi r st coming that virgin forest was s tirred

,
1
a s by the fragrant Ma l aya win d so when she beheld thee , ,
t h e j oy o f the whole wor l d like the spring love entered , ,
her a s though she were a red aco ka creeper ( 4 66) But .
now she endures great torture for thy sake ( 4 66 4 7 0 ) .

-
Then K e yuraka told at len gth al l her su ff ering s til l the ,
prince overcome by grief could bear it n o longer an d

, ,
swooned .
‘
Then awakening from his swoon he l amented that he
, ,
wa s thought t o o hard of heart to receive a message from

K a dambar i or her fri e nds and blamed them for not te ll ing ,
him o f her love while he wa s there .
( 4 7 6) Why shou l d there be shame concernin g o n e who

is her servant ever at her feet that grief should have
, ,
made it s home in o n e so tender and my desires be un ,
f u lfi lle d ? ( 4 7 7 ) No w what can I do when at some days

’
distance from her Her body cannot even endure the fall
.
o f a fl o we r upon i t while even on adamantine hearts l ike

,
mine t h e arrows of lo ve are hard to bear When I see .
the unstab l e works began by crue l F at e I know not where ,
it wi l l s top ( 4 7 8 ) E l se where wa s my approach t o the

.
land o f the immortals in my va in hunt for the K in n aras 2

,
where my j ourney to H e m akut a with M ah acve t é o r my ,
1
L i t e rall y th at f o re st of c re e p er s se m ai de n s
, ,
. .
’
188
and bade him escort P at rale kh a ( 4 8 7 ) while h e h imse l f ,
would overtake them when he h ad seen V ai cam p zt yan a

‘
Th e n he bade P at rale kh a tell K a dambari that her n oble

sincerity and nativ e tenderness preserved him e vén though ,
far away and burnt by l ove s fi r e ( 4 8 9 ) and requ e sted her

’
bidding to come ( 4 9 1 ) After their departure he went to

.
,
ask his father s l eav e to go to meet Vai cam p ayan a The

’
.
king l ovingly receive d him and said to Qu kan it sa : ( 4 9 2 )

,
H e h as now come to the age f o r marriage S o havi ng

'
.
,
entered upon the matter with Queen Vi lasavat i l et some ,

”
fair maiden he chosen F o r a face like my son s is not
'
’
.
often to be seen L et u s then gladd e n ours e lves now by

.
the sigh t o f the lotus face of a bride ” u kan asa agreed

Q .
that a s the prince had gained all know l edge made roya l ,
fortune fi rm ly his o wn an d wed the earth ther e r e mained

, ,
nothing for him to do but to marry a wife How fi t ly . ,
thought Can drapi d a does my fath e r s plan come for

,
“ ’
my thoughts o f a union with K a dambari ! ( 4 9 3) The

proverb light to o n e in darkness o r a s hower o f nectar ,
’
to a dying man is coming true in me After j ust seein g

,
’
.
Vai cam p ay an a I shall win K a dambari

,
T hen the king .
went to Vilasavat i and p l ayfully reproached her for giving

,
no couns e l a s to a bride for her son ( 4 9 4 ) Meanwhile the .
prince spent the day in awaiting Vai cam p fiyan a s return ’

.
And after spending over two watch e s of the nigh t s l eepless

in yearning for him ( 4 9 5 ) the en e rgy of his love wa s r e
,
doub l ed and h e ordered t h e conch to be sounded for

,
his going ( 4 9 7 ) Then he started on the road to D acap u ra

.
,
and after going some distance he beheld the camp ( 5 0 1 ) ,
and rej oiced to th i nk he wou l d now see Vai cam p ayan a

and goin g o n alone he ask e d where his friend was But
,
.
weeping women replied : Why ask ? How shou l d he b e

here 2 ”
And in utter bewi l derment he hastened to the
midst of the camp ( 5 0 2) Ther e he was reco gni s ed and
.
,
on his question the chieftain s besought him to rest under a

tree while they related Vai cam payan a s fate H e was th e y ’
.
,
said yet a l ive and they to l d what had happened ( 5 0 5 )

, , .
“
When left by thee he ha l ted a day and then gave the
, ,
189
order for our march Yet said h e Lake A c c h o da is

.
‘
,
’
,
‘
mentioned in the P u ret n a as very holy Let u s bath e and

'
worship i a in the sh rm e on its bank F o r who will ever .

,
even in a dream beho l d again this place haunted by t h e

,
gods 2 ( 50 6 ) B ut beholding a bower o n t h e bank h e gazed

’
at it like a brother l ong l ost to sight as if memories were ,
a w akened in him And when we urged him to d e part he

.
,
made as though he heard u s not ; but at last he bade u s

g o
, saying that he would not l eave that spot ( 5 08 ) Do .
‘
I n o t know well said h e , all that yo u urge for my

’
,
‘
departure ? B ut I have no power over myself and I am , ,
a s it w e re nailed to the spot and cannot go with you ’
”
, , .
( 5 1 0 ) S o at length we l e ft him and came hither , .
Amazed at this story which he could not have even in a

,
dream imagined Can drapi d a wondered

, What can be t h e
cause o f his resolve to leave all and dwell in the woods ?
I see no fa u l t o f my own H e shares everything with m e . .
Has anything been said that could hurt him by my fath e r

o r Quk an fi sa ? ( 5 1 7 ) H e at length returned to U jj y
a in i ,
thinking that where Vai cam p ayan a was there was K a dam
bari also and resolved to fetch him back ( 5 1 8 ) H e heard
,
.
that the king and queen h ad gon e to Qu kan asa s house and
’
followed them thither ( 5 1 9 ) There he heard M an o ram a

.
lamenting the absence o f t h e son without whose sight she

could not live and who had never before even in his
, ,
earliest years shown neglect o f her

, ( 5 2 0 ) O n his .
e ntrance the king thus greeted him : I know thy grea t

love for him Yet when I hear thy story my heart
.
suspects some fault of thine But Qukan asa his fac e .

,
darkened with g ri e f and impatience s aid reproachfully ,
I f 0 king there is h e at in the moon or cooln e ss in

, ,
fi re t h en ther e may be fault in the prince

, ( 5 2 1 ) Men .
such a s V ai cam p ayan a are port e nts of destruction ( 5 2 2 ) ,
fi r e without fuel po l ished mirror s that present e verything

,
the reverse way ; ( 5 2 3) for them the base are exa l ted ,
wrong is right and ignoran c e wisdom All in them makes

,
.
f o r evil and not for good

,
Therefore Vai cam p ayan a has
.
’
n o t feared thy wrath nor thought that his mother s life
,
190
depend s on him nor that he wa s born to be a giver o f

,
o fferings f o r the continuance of his race ( 5 2 4 ) Surely t h e .
birth of o n e so evi l and demoniac was but t o cause u s grief .
( 5 2 5 ) To this the king repli e d : S ure l y for su éh a s I to

a dmonish thee w e re for a lamp to give light to fi r e or day ,
light an equal splendour to the sun Yet the mind o f the .
wisest is made turbid by grief a s the M a nasa L ak e by the

rainy sea son and th e n sight is destroyed Who is there in
, .
this world who is not changed by youth ? When youth

shows itself love for elders fl o ws away with childhood
,
.
( 52 8 ) My h e art grieves when I hear th e e speak harshly of

V ai cam p ayan a Let him be brought hith e r T hen we can
. .
do a s is fi t t i n g ( 5 2 9 ) g
(. u k an asa persisted in blaming his
'
son ; b ut Can drapi d a imp l ored leave to fetch h i m home ,
an d C ukan asa at l e ngth yie l d e d ( 5 3 2 ) Then Can drapi d a .
su m moned the a strologers and secretly bade them nam e ,
the day for his departure when a sked by the king o r ,
Q u k a n fi sa so ,
as not to delay his departure The con .
”
j unction of the planets they answered h im is against
, ,
thy going ( 5 33 ) Yet a king is the determiner of time

. .
O u whatever tim e thy will is se t ; that is the time for every

matter . Th e n they announced the morro w a s the tim e
for his departure ; and he spent that day and night int e nt
on his j ourney and deeming that he already behe l d
,
K a dambari and Vai cam p ayan a before him .
( 5 34 ) An d when the time came Vi lasavat i bade him

‘
farewe l l in deep sorro w : I grieve d not so for thy fi r st

“
going a s I do now My heart is torn ; my body is in

.
torture ; my mind is overwhe l med ( 5 35 ) I kno w not why .
my heart so suff ers Stay not long away . H e tried to .
console her and then went to his father wh o r e c e i ve d him

, ,
t e nderly ( 5 3 9 ) an d fi n ally dismissed him saying : M y

, ,
“
desire is that thou shouldst take a wife and rec e ive t h e

burden of royalty so that I may enter o n the path followed
,
by royal sages ; but this matter o i Vai cam p ayan a is in t h e .
way o f i t and I have misgivings that my longing is not to

,
.
be f u lfi lle d else how could h e have acted in so strange a

way ? Therefore though thou must go my son return
, , ,
192
ii , though unseen before he recognised me though a , ,
stranger he had lo n g known me and gazing at m e like

, ,
o n e mad or possessed he s aid at la st Fair maiden only , ,
they who do what is fi t t in g f o r their birth age an d form , ,
escape b l am e in this world Wh y t o i le st thou thus lik e .

,
perverse fat e in so unme e t an employment in that thou

, ,
wast e st in stern penanc e a body tender a s a garland ?

( 5 56 ) The toil of penance is for those w h o have enj oyed
the p l easures o f life and have lost its graces but not f o r ,
o n e endowed with beauty If thou turne s t from the j oys .
o f e arth in vain does L ove bend his bow or the moon ris e
, ,
.
Moonlight and the Malaya wind serve for naught .

’
B ut I caring for nothing since the loss o f P u n d ari ka

, ,
asked no questions about him ( 5 5 7 ) and bade Tarali ka ,
keep him away f o r some evil would s urely happen should

,
he return B ut in spite o f being kept a way whether from

.
,
the fault of l ove or the d e stiny o f suff er ing that lay upon
a s he did not give up his aff ection ; an d o n e night whil e
, ,
T aralika slept and I wa s thinking of P u n dari ka ( 5 5 9 ) I

, ,
behe l d in the moonlight clear a s day that youth approach , ,
ing l ike o n e possessed The utmost fear s e iz ed me at the .
sigh t A n e vil thing I thought ha s befa l len m e If

‘ ’ ‘
. .
, ,
he draw near and b ut touch m e with his hand this , ,
accursed l ife m ust be destroy e d ; and then that endurance

of i t which I accepted in the hope o f again beholding
,
P u n d ari ka will have b e e n in vain

’
,
Whi l e I thus tho u ght .
he drew near and said : Moon faced maiden the moon

,
‘
-
, ,
L ove s ally is striving to slay me Therefore I come to

’
, ,
.
a sk protection Save me who am without refuge and .

, ,
cannot help myself for my life is devoted to thee ( 5 60 ) , .
It i s the duty of ascetics to protect those who flee to them

for protection I f then thou deign n ot to bestow thyself
.
, ,
o n me the m oon and love w ill slay me A t these words

’
.
, ,
in a voice choked by wrath I excla imed : Wretch how ,

‘
,
has a th underbolt failed to str ike thy head in the utterance

of these thy words ? S urely the fi ve elements that give
witness of right and wrong to m ortals are lacking in thy
frame in that earth and air and fi re and the rest have not
,
193
utterly destroyed thee Thou hast learnt to speak like a .
parrot without thought o f what was right o r wrong to say

, .
Why wert thou not born a s a parrot 2 ( 5 6 1 ) I lay on thee

this fate that thou mayest enter o n a birth suited to thine
,
o wn speech and cease t o make love to one such a s I So

’
.
,
s aying I turned towards the moon and with raised hands

, ,
pray e d : Bl e ssed o n e lord of all guardian o f the world

, , ,
if since the sight o f P u n d ari ka my heart ha s been free

from the thought o f any o t her man may this fa l se lover ,
.
by t h e truth o f this my saying fall into t he existe nce pro ,
n o un c e d by me Then straightway I know not how

’
.
, ,
whether from the force of love o r of his own sin or from , ,
t h e pow e r o f my words he f e ll lifeless like a tree torn up

, ,
by the roots And it was not till he wa s dead that I learnt

.
from his w e e ping attendants that he was thy friend noble ,
prince ” Having thus said she b e nt her face in sham e

.
,
and silently w e pt But Can drépi d a with fi xe d glance and

.
,
broken voice replied L ady thou ha st done thine

, ,
utmost and yet I am too ill fat e d to have gain e d in this

,
-
life t h e j oy o f honouring the f e e t o f t h e lady K a dambar i .
Mayest thou in anoth e r life creat e this bliss for m e ” .
( 5 6 2 ) With these words h i s tender heart broke a s if from ,
grief at failing to win K a dambari like a bud ready to open ,
when pierced by a bee .
T h e n Tar alika burst into l ament s over his lifeless body

and into reproaches to M ah acve t a And a s the chi e ftains .
,
too raised th e ir cry of gri e f and wonder ( 5 6 4 ) there

, ,
entered w ith but f e w followers K a dambari h e rs e lf attired

, , ,
a s to meet her love r though a visit to M ah acve t a was the

,
pret e xt of her coming and whil e she l e ant o n P at rale kh é s

,
’
hand she expr e ssed her doubts of the prince s promised

,
’
return ( 5 6 5 ) and declared tha t if she again beheld him

,
she would not speak to him nor be reconciled either by his ,
humility or her friend s e ndeavours Such were her w ords ;’

.
but she counted all the toil o f the j ourney light in her
longing to behold him again But when she b e held him .
d e ad with a sudden cry sh e fell to the ground And

,
.
when she recovered from her swoon she gazed at h i m wit h ,
13
4
eyes an d quivering mouth like a creeper trembling

'
fi xed ,
’
under the blow o f a k e e n axe and t hen stood still with a ,
fi r m n e ss for e ign to h e r woman s natur e ( 5 66 ) M adale kh ét

’
.
implored her to give h e r gri e f the relief of t e ars lest her ,
heart should break and rememb e r that on h e r rest e d the

,
hopes o f two rac e s F oolish girl

. replied K a dambari
“
, ,
with a smile , how should my adamantine h e art break if

it has not brok e n at this sight 2 These thoughts of family
and friends are for one who wills to live not for me who , ,
have chosen death for I have won the body o f my b e lov e d ,
whic h is lif e to me and which wh e th e r living or d e ad

, , ,
whether by an e arthly union o r by my foll o w ing it in ,
d e ath su ffi c e s to calm every gri e f It is for my sake that

,
-
.
my lord cam e hith e r and lost his l if e ho w then could I , , ,
by sh e dding tears mak e light o f the great honour to whi c h

,
h e ha s raised me 2 or how brin g an ill omen e d mourning -
to his departure to heaven ? or how w e e p at the j oyous

moment when like t h e dust of his f e et I may follow
, ,
him 2 Now all sorrow is far away ( 5 6 7 ) F o r him I n e g .
le c t e d all other ties ; and no w w hen he is dead how canst , ,
thou a sk me to live ? In dying now lies my life and to ,
live w ould be d e ath to me Do thou take my plac e with .
my parents and my friends and may e st thou b e the ,
mother o f a son to o ff er libations of water for me when I

am in another world Thou must w ed the young mango
.
in the courtyard dear to m e a s my o wn child to the

, ,
m ét dh avi creep e r . L e t not a twig of the aco ka tree that -
my feet have car e ss e d b e broken ev e n to mak e an earring , .
Let the fl o we r s o f t h e m alat i creeper I tended b e plucked

only to o ff er to t h e gods Let t h e picture o f K a ma in my
.
room near my pillo w be torn in pieces Th e mango trees .

-
I planted must b e t e nded so th at th e y may come to fruit .
( 5 6 8 ) Set fr e e from the misery of their cag e t h e maina

K a lindi and t h e parrot P ari h ésa L et the littl e mongoos e .
that r e sted in my lap now r e st in thine L e t my child .

,
the fawn T ar alaka be given t o a hermitag e L e t the part

, .
r idg e s on the pl e a sure hill that grew up in my hand he

.
-
k ept alive . See that th e hamsa that followed my step s be

196
and approaching M ah acve t é said mournfully : Princes s ,

“
of the Gandharvas knowest thou me n o w that I have

, ,
passed through another birth 2 Divided betw e en j oy and

grief she paid homage to his feet and replie d : Blessed
, ,
“
K ap i fi j ala am I so devoid o f virtue that I could forget

,
thee 2 And yet this thought o f me is natural since I am ,
so strangely ignorant o f mys e lf and de l uded by madness

that when m y lord P u n d ari ka is gone to heaven I ye t live
”
.
( 5 7 2 ) Tell me o f P u n d ari ka H e then recall e d how h e .
ha d fl o wn into the sky ln pur suit o f the being who carrie d

o ff P u n d ari ka and passing by the wond e ring gods in their
,
heavenly cars he h ad reached the world o f t h e moon

, .
Th e n that being h e continued , placed P u n d ari ka s ,

“ ’
body on a couch in the hal l called M ah o d aya and said ,
‘
Know me to be the moon ! ( 5 7 3) When I wa s rising to
help the world I wa s curs e d by thy friend b e cause my ,
beams were slaying him befor e h e could meet his be l oved ;

and he prayed that I too might die in the land o f Bharata
, , ,
the home o f all sacred rites knowing mys e lf the pains of ,
love B ut I wrathfu l at being cursed for what was his

.
,
own fault utt e red the curse that he sh ould e ndure the
,
same l ot o f j oy o r sorrow a s myself Wh e n ho w ever my .

, ,
ang e r passed away I understood what ha d happened about

,
M ah acve t a . Now she is sprung from the rac e that had its
,
origin in my beam s an d she chose him for her lord Yet

,
.
he and I must both be born t w ice in t h e world of mortals ,
e lse the due order o f birth s will not be f u lfi lle d I hav e .
therefore carried the body hither and I nourish it with my ,
light lest it should perish before the curse is e nd e d and I ,
have comforted M ah acve t é ( 5 7 4 ) Tell the whole matter .
’
to P u n d ari ka s father H i s spiritual power is gr e at and
.
,
h e may fi n d a remedy And I rushing away in grief’

.
, ,
l e apt o ff another rider in a h e avenly chariot and in wrath ,
he said to me : Since in the wide path o f h e aven thou

hast leapt over me like a horse in its wild cours e do thou ,
become a horse and descend into the world o f mortal s

,
.
’
To my tearful a ssurance that I had leapt over him in t h e

blindness of grief and not from contempt he rep l ied :
, ,
197
The curs e once utter e d cannot be recalled But when

, , .
thy rider shall die thou shalt bath e and be freed from the
,
’
curse . Then I implored him that a s my friend w as about
to be born with the moon god in the world o f mortals I -
, ,
might a s a horse con stantly dwell with him

, , ( 5 7 5 ) .
Softened by my a ff ection he told me that the moon would ,
be born as a son to King T arapi d a at U j j ayini P u n d ari ka ,
would be the son of his minister Qukan ésa and that I , ,
should be t h e princ e s steed Straightway I plunged into ’

.
the ocean and rose a s a horse but yet lost n o t conscious

, ,
nes s o f the past I it wa s w ho purposely brought Can

.
dr api d a hither in pursuit o f the kin n aras And he wh o .
sought thee by reason o f the love implant e d in a former

birth and wa s consumed by a curse in th i ne ignorance
, ,
wa s my friend P u n d ari ka com e down to earth ” .
‘
Then M ah é cve t é b e at her breast with a bitter cry ,
saying : Thou didst keep thy love f o r me through

another bir th P u n dari ka ; I was all the world to th e e ;
,
and ye t like a demon born for thy destruction even in a

, ,
fr e sh life I have received length of years but to slay thee

,
again and again ( 5 7 6 ) E ven in thee m e thinks coldness

.
, ,
must now have sprung up towards o n e so ill fated in that -

,
thou answ e r e st not my laments and she fl u n g h e rself on

the ground B ut K ap i ii j ala pityingly replied
. Thou ar t
blameless princess and j oy is at hand Grieve n o t there
, , .
,
fore but pursue the penanc e undertaken by thee ; for to

,
perfe ct p e nance naught is impossible and by the power o f ,
th in e austeritie s thou shalt soon be in the arms o f my

friend ” .
( 5 7 7 ) T hen K a dambar i a sked K a i

p j fi ala what had
become of P at rale kh é when she plunged with him into the .
tank B ut he kn e w naught of what had happened since

.
then either to her or his friend o r Can dr ap id a and rose

, , , ,
to the sky to ask the sage Qve t ake t u P u n d ari ka s father ,

’
to whom everything in t h e three worlds was Visible .
( ) T hen M h t coun selled K a dambar whose

'
5 7 7 5 7 8 -
a acv e zt i ,
love to her was drawn the c l oser from the l ikenes s o f her
sorrow that she should spend her l ife in ministering to the
,
1 98
body o f Can dr api d a nothing doubting that whil e others to

, ,
gain good worshipped shapes of w ood and stone that w e r e

,
but images of invisible gods she ough t to worship the ,
pres e nt dei ty veiled und e r t h e nam e o f Can dr api da

,
.
L aying h is body ten derly o n a rock K a dambari put o ff ,
the adornments with which she had come to me e t her

lover keeping but o n e bracelet a s a happy omen S h e
, .
bathed put o n t wo whit e robes rubb e d o ff the d e ep stain

, ,
o f betel from her lips ( 5 7 9 ) an d the very fl o we r s inc e n s e

, , ,
and unguents sh e had brought to grace a happy love sh e

now o ff ered t o Can dr api d a in t h e worship due to a god .
That day and night she spent motionless holding the f e et ,
o f the prince and o n the morro w she j oyfully saw that his
,
brightness wa s unchanged ( 5 8 1 ) and gladd e ned her friends ,
and the prince s followers by the tidings ( 5 8 2 ) Th e n e xt

’
.
day she sent M ad ale kh a to con sole her parents an d they ,
sent back an a ssurance that they had n e ver thought to see

her wed an d tha t now they rej oiced that she had chosen
,
for her husban d the incarnation o f the moon god hims e lf -

.
They hoped when the curse wa s o v e r to b e hold again h e r

, ,
lotus fac e in t h e company of th e ir son i n law ( 5 8 3 ) So

- - -
.
comforted K a dambari r e main e d to tend and worship the

,
prince s body No w when t h e rainy season was ove r

’
.
, ,
M e gh an ad a came to K a dambar i and told her that mes ,
se n ge r s ha d been sent by T ar ap i da to a sk the cause o f the
prin ce s delay ( 5 8 4 ) and that h e to spare her grief had

’
, , ,
told them the w hole story and bad e th e m hast e n to t e ll ,
all to the king T hey howev e r had r e plied that this

.
, ,
might doubtl e ss be so yet to say nothing of their ,
hereditary love for the prince the desire to se e so great a ,
marve l urged them to a sk to be allo w e d to behold him

their long service deserved the favour ; and what would
the king say if they failed to see Can dr api d a s body ? ’
( 5 8 5 ) Sorrowfully p i c t u ri n g t o herself what the grief o f

Tit r api d a would b e K a dambari admitted the messenge rs
, ,
( 5 8 6 ) and as they tearfully prostrated themselves she con ,
soled th em sayin g that this wa s a cause for j o y rather than

,
Ye have seen the prince s face and his body free

’
sorrow .
,
200
face thy father ? And yet wheth e r it be from lov e o r , ,
f ro m the thought that o n e so fair must needs live or from ,
the native simplicity o f a woman s mind my h e art cannot ’

,
believ e that ill ha s b e fall e n thee ( 5 9 4 ) Mea nwhile the .

,
news wa s t o ld t o the king and he ha stened to the temple

'
with Qukanasa and tri e d to rouse the que e n from the

,
stupor of gr i ef saying : ( 5 9 3 ) My qu e en we dishonour

, ,
ourselves by this sho w o f grief Our good deeds in a .
f ormer life have carri e d u s t h u s f ar We are n o t the v e ssel .
o f further j oys That which we have not earned is not

.
wo n at will by beatin g the breast Th e Creator does what .
H e wills and depends on non e

,
We have had the j oy o f .
o u r son s babyhood and boyhood and youth We have

’
.
cro w n e d him and greeted his r e turn from his world

,
conquest ( 5 9 6 ) All that is lacking to our wishes is that

.
we have not seen him wed so that we might leav e him in ,
our place and retir e t o a hermitage B ut to gain every

, .
desire is the fruit o f very rare merit We must how e ve r .

, ,
qu e stion T vari t aka f o r we kn ow not all yet ”

, ( 5 9 7 ) B ut .
when he heard from Tvari t aka how the prince s heart had
broken h e interrupted him an d cried that a funera l pyre
, ,
shou l d be prepared f o r himself near th e shrin e o f M ah ékéla .
( 5 9 8 ) A l l his treasure was to be giv e n to Brahmans and the ,
kings who fo l lowed him w e re to return to their own lands .
Then Tvari t aka implored him to hear the rest o f the story
o f Vai cam p éyan a an d his grief was follow e d by wonder ;
,
while Qukan asa showing the de 8 1 re o f a true friend to

,
forget his o wn grief and o ff er consolation said : ( 5 9 9 ) ,
Sire in this wondrous transitory e x istence w h e rein

, ,
w ander gods demons animals and men fi lle d with j oy and

, , ,
grief there is n o event which is n o t possible Why then

,
.
d oubt concerning this 2 If from a search for reason h o w ,
many things rest only on tradition and are ye t se e n to be ,
true 2 As the u se of meditation or certain post ures to cure

a poisoned m an the attraction o f the l oadstone the e ffi c ac y
, ,
o f mantra s V edic o r otherwise in action s of all kinds

, , ,
wherein sacred tradition is o u r a uthority ( 6 00 ) N o w .
there are many stor i e s o f curses in the Pur a nas the ,

20 1
R a m ayana the Mah a bh a rata and the rest

,
F or it wa s ,
.
owing to a curse that N ah u sh a became a serpent S au d asa

1 2
,
a cannibal
. Yay at i decrepit T r i c am ku a Can d éla the
,
3
, ,
hea ven dwelling M ah ab h i sh a wa s born a s ( ; an t an u w hil e

-
,
4
Gang a became his wife and the Vasu s his sons Nay , ,
.
,
'
e ven the Supreme God V ishnu wa s born as Yam ad agn i s

’
, ,
son and dividing himse l f into four he was born to

, , ,
D acarat h a and also to V a sudeva at Mathur a

, Therefore .
the birth o f gods among morta l s is not hard o f beli e f .
And thou sire art not behind the men of old in virtue nor
, , ,
is the moon greater than the god from whom the lotus
springs Our dreams at o u r sons birth c o nfi rm t h e tale ;
.
’
t h e nectar that d w ells in the moon preserves the princ e s

’
body ( 6 0 1 ) and his beauty that gladdens the world must

,
be destined to dwell in the world We shall therefore soon .
se e his marriage with K a dambar i and therein fi n d all the ,
pa st troubles of life mor e than repaid Do then thin e .
utmost by worshipping gods giving gifts to Brahmans and , ,
”
practising austerities to s e cure this blessing ( 60 2 6 0 4 )
,
.
-
Th e king a ssented but expressed his resolve to go himself ,
to behold the prince and he and t h e que e n together with , ,
u kan asa and his w if e w ent to the lak e

Q ( 6 0 5 ) Comfort ed , .
by the assuranc e of M e gh an ada who cam e to meet him , ,
that t h e prince s body daily grew ln brightness he entered

’
the hermitage ; ( 6 0 6 ) w hile at the news o f his comin g , ,
M ah acve t a fl e d in shame within th e cave and K a dambar i ,
swooned And a s h e looked o n his son who s e em e d but

.
,
to sleep t h e qu e en rushed forward and with fond r e proaches

, ,
entreated Can dr api da to speak to them ( 6 08 ) B ut the .
king remi n ded her that it wa s her part to comfort Qukan asa
and his wife She also to whom we shall o we the j oy
.
,
of again beholding o ur son alive even the Gandharva ,
princess is yet in a swoon ; do thou take her in thin e

,
arms and bring her back to consciousness

, Then she .
t enderly touched K a dambari saying B e comfort e d my ,

“
,
1
V . sup r a , p p 1 9 , 20 , 4 7
. .
2
Ak i n g o f t h sol e ar r a e c .
3
V . sup r a , p 6 . .
4
R d h t dn am
ea as ap i V a sza m .
20 2
mother for w ithout thee who could h av e p reserv e d

,
1 '
,
t he
body o f my son Can dr api d a 2 Sur e ly thou must be W holly '
made of amrita that we are a gain abl e to behold his fac e

, .
( 6 0 9 ) A t the name o f Can d r api da and the t o u éh of the

queen so lik e his o w n K a dambar i recovered her sen s e s ;
, ,
and was helped by M adale kh a to pay due honour though ,
with face bent in sham e to his parents She rec e iv e d ,

.
th e ir bl e ssing Mayest thou liv e long and long e nj oy an ,
unwido w ed life — and w a s se t close behind Vi lasavat i .
'
Th e ki n g then bad e h e r r e su m e h e r care of t h e prince an d ,
took up his abod e in a leafy bo w er near the h e rmitage ,
provid e d with a cool stone slab and m e e t for a hermit ( 6 1 0 ) , ,
and told his royal retinue that he would now carry out his
long cherished desir e o f an a scetic life and that they must
-
,
protect his subj ects I t is surely a gain if I hand over

. .
m y plac e t o o n e worthy of i t and by this e nfeebled and

”
,
use l ess body o f mine win the j oys o f another world .
S o saying he gave up all his w onted j oy s an d b e took

, ,
hims e lf to the un w onted life in t h e woods h e found a

palace beneath the tre e s ; the d e lights of the z enana m the ,
creepers ; th e att e c t i o n of fri e nds in the fawns ; t h e pleas u re ,
of attire in rags and bark garments ( 6 1 1 ) His weapons

, .
wer e rosaries ; his ambition was for anoth e r world ; his

desire for w e alth was in penance H e r e f u se d all the .
'
delicacies that K a dambar i an d M ah acve t a o ffe red him and ,
so dwelt with his queen and counting all pains

light so that e ve ry morning and evening he might have t h e
,
j oy of seeing Can drzi pi d a j

Having told this tale the sage J a b a li said w ith a scorn
2
,
ful smil e to his son H ari t a and t h e other asc e tics : Ye ,

‘
h av e s e en how this story h as had power t o hold u s l ong ,
and to charm o u r h e arts And this is the love stricken being .

-
who by his o wn fault fell from heaven and b e came on ,
earth V ai cam p ayan a son o f Qu kan zt sa H e it is who by

'
.
, ,
the curse o f his o w n wrathful father and by M ah acve t a s

-
,
’
1
The comm n t y ys m oth i s ai d to d ght e
e ar sa
‘
er
’
s a au r -i n -law , j st
u
as t a t a , f th
a i s s i d to
er,
’
n a a so .
2
Th e p i t s wn h i sto y n o w co n t i n d f om p 4 7
ar o
’
o r 1s ue r . .
204
it I wa s set fre e from my horse s shape ( 62 0 ) but he kept ’
me till J zt b ali had recalled the past to thee and now sends
’
me to give thee his blessing and s ay that thy moth e r ,
L akshm i is also h e lping in t h e rite ) The r bidding ’
( 6 2 1 i
"
.
,
me stay in the hermitage he rose to the sky to take part , ,
in t h e rit e ( 6 2 2 ) After some days however my wi n gs

.
, ,
were grown and I resolve d to fly to M ah acve t a so I set 0 11

, ,
towards the north ; ( 6 2 3 ) but weariness soon overtook m e ,
and I went to sleep in a tr e e only to wake in the snar e o f ,
a t e rrible Cand a la ( 6 2 4 ) I b esought him to fr e e me f o r I

.
,
w a s o n t h e way to my b e loved but he said h e ha d captur e d ,
me for the young Cand a la princess who had heard of my ,
gifts With horror I heard that I the son o f Lakshm i and

.
,
o f a gr e at saint must dwel l with a tribe shunned ev e n by

,
barbarians ; ( 6 2 5 ) but w hen I urg e d that h e could set me

free without danger for none would se e him h e l aughed an d , , ,
r e plied H e for whom ther e exist not t h e fi ve guardian s

,
1
of the world wi t n e sses of right and w rong d welling within
, ,
his own body to behold his actions wi l l not do his duty for ,
fear o f any other being ( 6 26 ) S o h e carried me o ff and .

’
a s I look e d out in h 0 p e o f getting free from him I beh e ld ,
the barbarian s e ttlement a very market place o f evil deeds ,

-
.
It was surrounded on all sides by boys engaged in the chase ,
unleashing their hounds teaching their falcons mending , ,
snares carrying w e apons and fi sh i n g horrible in their

, , ,
attire lik e d e moniacs H e re and there the entranc e to their

, .
dwellings hidd e n by thick bamboo forests was to b e inferred

, , ,
from the rising o f smoke of orpiment O u al l sid e s the e n .
c l osures w e re made with skulls ; ( 6 2 7 ) the dustheaps in the

roads were fi lle d with bon e s ; the yards o f the huts w ere miry
with blood fat and meat chopped u p The lif e there con
, , .
sisted o f hunting the food o f fl e sh ; the ointment of fat ; , ,
the garments of coarse silk ; the c o u c h e s o f dried skins ;

, j
the household attendants of dogs the animals for riding , ,
of cows t h e m e n s employment of wine and women ; the ’
1
Th ecomm n t y xp l in s th s In d
e ar e a e e as ra, Y am V n a, ar u a, Som a
an d K v u T h C l c tt t n s l t i o n pp
e ra . e a u a ra a a ar e n tly t n s l at s
ra e a re a di n g
20 5
oblation to the gods o f blood ; the sac ri fi c e of cattle

, ,
.
The plac e wa s the image o f all h e lls ( 6 2 8 ) Th e n the .
man brought me to t h e Cand ala maiden w ho r e ceiv e d ,
me g l adly an d placed me in a cage saying : I w ill take

, ,
from the e all t h y wilfulness What was I to do ? Wer e .

’
I to pray her to relea se me it was my power o f sp e ech that ,
had mad e h e r desire m e w ere I silent anger might mak e ,
her cru e l ; ( 7 2 9 ) still it was my want o f s e lf restraint that

,
-
had cau sed all my misery and so I resolved to restrain all ,
my sens e s and I therefore kept e ntire silenc e and refus e d

,
all food .
Next day however t h e maiden brought fruits and water

, , ,
and when I did not touch them she said tend e rly : It is
unnatural f o r birds and beasts to refuse food w h e n hungry .
If thou mindful o f a form e r birth makest distinction of

, ,
w hat may o r may not be eaten yet thou art now born as ,
an animal and canst ke e p no such dist i nction ( 63 0 ) There

,
.
is no sin in acting in accordance with the state to which

thy past deeds hav e brought thee Nay even for thos e who .
,
have a law concerning food it is lawful in a time o f , ,
distress to ea t food not meet f o r them in order to preserve

, ,
life Much more then for the e N o r n e e d st thou fear

.
, , .
this food a s coming from o ur caste ; for fruit may be

acc e pt e d e ven from u s and water even from o u r vesse l s , ,
is pure so men say wh e n it falls on t h e ground

, , I .
’
wondering at her w isdom partook o f food but stil l k e pt , ,
sil e nc e
.
After some time when I ha d grown u p I wok e o n e day

, ,
t o fi n d myself in this gold e n cag e and beh e ld the Cand a la ,
maiden as thou O king hast s e e n h e r ( 6 3 1 ) The whole

, , .
barbarian settlem e nt shewed like a city of the gods and ,
b e fore I could ask w hat it all meant the maid e n brought ,
m e to thy feet B ut who she is and why sh e has

.
become a Cand a la and why I am bound o r brought hither

, ,
I am a s e ager as thou 0 king to learn , , .

’
Ther e u pon the king in great amazeme n t sent for t h e

, ,
maiden and she entering ove ra w ed the king with her

, , ,
maj esty and said with dignity : Thou ge m o f e arth lord

, ,
206
o f Rohin i ,
—
j oy of K adam b ari s eyes thou O moon ha st ’
, ,
heard t h e story of thy past birth and that o f this foolish being , .
Thou knowest from him h ow even in this birth he disregarded

his fath e r s command an d set o ff t o s eek his brid e Now I
’
, .
a m L akshm i h i s moth e r and h i s father seeing by divine

, , ,
in sight that he h ad start e d bade me keep him in safety till ,
t h e r e ligious rit e for him wa s completed an d l e ad him to ,
r e p e ntanc e ( 6 3 2 ) T he rit e is n ow over Th e e n d o f t h e

. .
c u rs e is at hand I brought him to the e that thou might e st

.
r e j oice w ith him th e reat I b e came a Cand a la to avoid .
contact w ith mankind Do y e both therefore straightway .

,
l e ave bodies b e set with t h e ills of birth old age pain and , , ,
d e ath and win t h e j oy o f union with your b e lov e d So

’
.
,
saying sh e sudd e nly rose to the sky follo w ed by the gaz e

, ,
of all the p e ople while the fi rm am e n t rang with her ,
tinkling anklets The king at h e r words rememb e red his

.
, ,
form e r birth and s aid : Dear P u n d ari ka now call e d ,
Vai cam p ayan a happy is it that the curs e comes t o an e n d

,
at t h e same mom e nt for u s both but whil e h e spok e Love ,
drew his bow taking K a dambar i as his bes t weapon and

, ,
e nt e r e d into the king s heart to d e stroy h i s lif e The

’
( 6 35 ) .
flame o f lov e wholly con sum e d him and f ro m lo n gin g t o r ,
M ah acve t a Vai cam p ay an a who wa s in truth P u n d ari ka

, , ,
e ndur e d t h e same su ff erings as the king .
N o w at this time th e r e set in t h e fragrant season o f

sp ri n g a s if to burn him utterly ( 6 3 6 ) and whil e it intoxicated
, ,
all living beings it wa s used by Lov e a s his strong e st shaft

,
to bewild e r the heart o f K a dambari O n K a ma s festival .

’
sh e pa ssed the day with great di ffi c u lt y and at twilight , ,
wh e n the quart e rs were growing dark she bathed , ,
w orshipp e d K a ma and plac e d b e fore him t h e body o f

,
Can dr ap i d a w ash e d anointed with musk scented sandal

, ,
-
,
and d e cked with flowers ( 6 3 7 ) Filled with a deep longing .

,
sh e dr e w nigh a s if unconsciously and suddenly ber e ft by

, ,
love o f a woman s n ative timidi t y sh e could no longer

’
r e strain h e rs e lf and clasp e d Can dr api d a s neck a s though

,
’
h e were yet aliv e A t h e r ambrosial embrace the prince s

’
.
l i fe came back to him and cla sping h e r closely like on e , , ,

20 8
1
among u s yet let u s follow the custom o f the wor l d
, .
’
Nay replie d T ar api d a

’
‘
, W h ere a man hath known his .
greatest h app m e ss there i s his home even if it b e the , ,
1
forest ( 6 42 ) And wher e else have I known such j oy as
.
2
here 2 All my palaces too have been given over to thy , ,
son i n law take my son therefore with his bride and taste
- -
, , ,
the j oys o f home Then Cit rar at h a went with Can drapi da
.
’
to H e m akut a and o ff ered him his whole kingdom with t h

,
hand of K a dambari Hamsa did the same to P u n d ari ka ; .
but both r e fused to acc e pt anything for their longings were ,
sat i sfi e d with winning t h e brides dear to th e ir h e arts .
N o w one day K a dambar i though her j oy wa s comp l ete

, , ,
a sked her husband with tears How is it that when we all

have died and come to life and have been united with each ,
other P at rale kh a alone is n o t here nor do we kn ow what

, ,
ha s become o f her ? How could she be here my b e love d ? ’ ‘

,
’
rep l ied the prince tenderly F o r sh e is my wife Rohin i .

,
and w h en she heard I wa s cursed grieving for my grief

, , ,
she refused to leave me alone in the wor l d o f mortals and ,
though I sought to dissuade her she accepted birth in that ,
world even before me that she might wait upon me ( 6 4 3 ) , .
When I entered o n another birth she again wished t o ,
descend to earth but I sent her back to the world of

’
the moon There th ou wilt again behold her
. B ut .
K a dambari in wonder at Ro hi ni s nobility t e nderness

,
’
, ,
l oftiness o f soul devotion and charm wa s abash e d and

, , , ,
could not utt e r a word .
The ten nights that Can drapi d a spent at H e m akut a

passed a s swiftly a s o n e day ; and then dismissed by ,
Ci t r arat h a and Madir a who were who ll y content with him , ,
he approached the feet o f his father There he b e stow e d .
o n the chieftain s who ha d shared his suff erings a condition
like his o wn an d laying o n P u n d ari ka t h e burden o f

,
government followed the steps o f h i s parents who had

, ,
given up al l earthly duties Sometimes from love of his .
1
F o r an ar g dh v m i g
’
M n i ii 3 2
a ar r a e, a u .
, . .
2
Cf M Ar n l
. od. :
A h wh t h spi i t i t h i gh st li f h th l d
, e re e r s e e a e ,
All spots m t h d wi th th t spot

, l e ss di v i
a c
’
a , ar e ne .
’
209
native land h e would dwel l in U j j ayi ni wher e t h e citizens

, ,
ga z ed at him with wide wondering eyes sometimes from

, ,
r e spect to the Gandharva king at H e m akfi t a beautiful

, ,
b e yond compar e sometimes from rev e rence to Rohini in

, ,
the world o f the moon where every place was charmin g

,
from the coolnes s and fragrance o f nectar som e times from ,
love to P u n dari ka by the lake where Lakshm i dwe l t on

, ,
which the lotuses e ve r blossomed night and day an d often , ,
to please K a dambari in many another fair spot

, .
With K a dambari he enj oyed many a pleasure to which ,
1
the yearning of two births gave an ever fresh and in
e x haustible de l ight N or did the Moon rej oice alone with
.
K a dambari nor she with M ah écve t a but M ah acve t a with

‘
, ,
P u n d ari ka and P u n d ari ka with the Moon all spent an

, ,
’
e ternity o f j oy in each other s company and reached the ,
very pinnacle of happiness .
wi tho u t t au to l ogy
’
1
A p i t n ar u h t a
, .
A P P E N D I X .
D E S CR I P TI O N OF U J J A YI N I .
( 1 0 2 ) T H E R E is a town by name U JJ ayi ni the proudest gem ,
o f the three wor l ds the very birthplace o f the golden age

, ,
creat e d by the b l essed M ah akala Lord of P r am at h as

1 2
, ,
Creator Preserver and Destroyer o f the Universe a s a

, ,
habitation me e t for hims e lf like a second earth It is e n , .
—
compassed by a moat deep a s hell a s by th e ocean mis ,
—
taking it f o r another earth and surround e d by f e nc e d
walls whit e with plaster like Kail a sa with its many points
, , ,
showin g c le ar again st the sky through j oy at being the ,
dwelling of i a .
It is adorned w ith large baz aars like the ocean s wh e n ,
their waters w ere drunk by Agastya stretching far with , ,
gold dust for sand with conch an d oyster pearls coral and
-
, ,
emeralds laid bare The pain ted halls that deck it are
.
fi lle d with gods demons Siddha s Gandharva s g e nii and

,
3
, , , ,
snakes ( 1 0 3 ) and show l ike a row o f heavenly chariots

,
come down from the sky to behold fair women at c e a s e less

festivals Its cross w ays shine with templ e s lik e Mandara
.
whitened by the milk raised up by the churning stick with ,
spotless golden va ses for peaks and white banners stirred ,
by the breez e like the peaks o f Him a laya with the heavenly
Ganges falling on them Common s gray with ke t aki .
poll e n dark with gr e en garden s watered by buck e t s con

, ,
st an t ly at work and having w e lls a dorned with brick seats

, ,
lend their charm Its groves are darkened by b e es vocal

.
w i th honey draughts its breez e laden with the sweetness o f

,
1
i a.
2 Fi e n ds att n d n t e a on i a.
3
Vi d e p 9 8
. .
212
though bo l d they are very courteous ; though p l easant

,
1
of speech they are truthful ; though handsome cont e nt
, ,
with their wives though they invite the entrance o f

guests they know not how t o a sk a boon ; th ough they
,
seek love and wealth they are strictly j ust ; though ,
virtuous they fear another world,

2
Th e y are c o n n o i s .
3
se u r s in al l arts pl e asant and intelligent ,
They talk .
merrily are charming in their humour spotl e ss in their

, ,
attire ( 1 0 6 ) skilled in foreign languages clever at subtleties

, ,
4
of speech versed in stories of all kinds accomplished in
,
5
,
letters having a k e e n d e light in the Mah a bh a rata Pur a nas

, , ,
and R a m ayana familiar with the B ri h at kat h a masters , ,
o f the whol e circle o f arts especially gambling lovers o f , ,
the ctt st r as d e vot e d to ligh t literature ca l m as a fragrant

, ,
7
spring bre e z e constant ly going to the south ; upright,
3
,
lik e t h e wood o f Him a laya ; skilled in the worship of

R a ma like L aksh m an a ; O pen lovers of Bharata like
3
, ,
Q at r u gh n a ; 9
like the day following the sun ; l ike a 10
,
B uddhist bold i n saying Yes about al l kinds o f gifts ; like

,
‘
11
t h e doctrine of th e S a mkhy a philosophy possessed o f noble ,
men ; like J i n ad h arm a pitiful to lif e

12
, .
T he city seems po ssessed o f rocks with its palaces ; it ,
stretches like a suburb with its l ong house s it is like the

tr e e that grants desires with its good citizen s it bears in
its painted hall s th e mirror of all form s L ik e t wilight it .
,
shines with the rednes s o f rubies ; ( 1 0 7 ) like the form o f

13
t h e L ord o f Heaven it is p u ri fi e d with t h e smoke o f a ,
hundred sac ri fi c e s l ike the wild dance o f i a it has the ,
smiles which are its white markets ; like an o ld woman

,
14
,
15
it ha s its beauty worn ; lik e the form o f Garuda it is ,
1
O r le a n e d
,
r .
2
O r tho u gh f u ll o f e n e rgy th e y f e ar th e ir e n e m i e s
, , .
3
O r lb l
,
i e r a 4
V S fihi t y a D ar p a n a 64 1
. .
-
,
.
5
I bi d .
, 5 68 .
3
o
g g ts
O r , ff e ri n if .
7
co t
O r, gp t s n ai n i n in e re e -
.
3
tt t v to wom
O r, a en i e en .
B oth of R m
3
r Bh t
er a a an d ar a a .
13
th f ds
O r, e i r ri e n .
11
O of
r, S choo l (
t h e S arv ast i vfi di n a s bd v s o of
u i i i n t h e V ai b h ash ik a
B ddhi sts)
u .
12
O m tt n d sp i i t
r, a O l ot s h d
er a r .
13
r, u -
ue .
14I n t h c s of i l o d l ght b i ght n ct ’

e a e a, u au er, r as e ar .
15
It h t s v l ts
as r e a ur e au .
2 13
pleasing in being the resting place o f V ishnu ; lik e the hour - 1
o f dawn it has its p e opl e all alert ; lik e t h e home of a

,
mountaineer it ha s palac e s in which ivory co w ri e s are

,
2
hanging ; like t h e form of Q e sh a it al w ays b e ars t h e w orld

3
,
like the hour of churning the oc e an it fi lls t h e e n d of t h e ,
earth with its hubbub ; like t h e rite of inauguration it

4
,
has a thousand gold pitchers at hand lik e Gauri it ha s

5
,
a form fi t to sit on t h e lion throne like A diti honoured in -

,
a hundred houses of t h e gods ; like the sports o f Mah a

var ab a showing the casting down of H i ran yaksh a ; lik e
,
3
Kadr u it is a j oy to the race of reptiles ; like the Hari

,
7
V am ca it is charming with the games of many children

,
3
.
( 1 08 ) Though its courts are O pen to all its glory is unin ,
j ured ; though i t glows with colour it is w hite as nectar ;

9 10
,
though it is hun g with strings o f p e arls ye t w hen nu ,
11
a dorned it is ad o rn e d t h e most ; tho u gh composed o f ‘
12
many elements it is yet stable and it surpasses in splen, ,
dour the world o f the immortal s .
T h e re t h e sun is daily s e en paying homage to M ah akala ,
for his steeds vail their heads at the charm o f the sweet
chant o f the wom e n singing in concert in the lofty white
palaces and his pennon droops before him There his rays
, .
fall o n t h e vermeil fl o o r s like t h e crimson of eve ; and o n

the e m erald seats a s though busy in creating lotus beds ; ,
o n the lapis la zuli as though scattered on the sky

-
on the ,
circling aloe smoke a s though eager to break its dense ,
gloom ; on the wreaths of pearl as though disdaining th e ,
clusters o f stars ; ( 1 0 9 ) o n the women s faces a s though ’
kissing unfolding lotuse s ; o n the splendour of crystal

walls a s though falling amid the pale moonlight of morn
,
1
k p i n g i t cov n n ts fi m
O r, ee s e a r .
2
ho s s wh i t n d w i th i vo y an d cow i e s
O r, u e e e r r .
3 h vin g sp l e n di d mo n t i n s always at h n d
O r, a u a a .
4
f ls
O r, a e . O go l d p i e c e s 5
r, .
3
( )a D mo n ; 6
( ) ego l d n d i c 7 O og u e s e e. r, r .
3 O r,t h spo t i n g of Ki n g B al a
e r .
9 Tho gh t h e f e i n t co s e wi th wom e n i all ow e d

u r e er ur s , it is of
ir rep o ch b l co n du ct
r a a e .
13
I ts c st s al ov d e ar e e .
11
Vi h a ( ) w i thora t n ck la c s ; b
( ) h av i n g t e
u mpl s e a e e .
12
H av i n g m n y c i t i z n s a e .
214
in g ; on the white silken banners a s though hang i ng o n ,
the waves o f the heavenly Ganges ; o n the sun gems as -

,
though blossoming from them on the sapphir e lat t ices as ,
though entering t h e j aws of R a hu There darkness neve r .
falls and t h e nights bring no separation to the pairs o f

,
c akrav akas ; nor n e e d they any lamps for they pass gold e n ,
a s with morning sunshin e from the bright j ewels of ,
women a s though the world were on fi r e with the fl am e

,
of love There though i a is at hand the cry o f the

.
, ,
h am sas in the houses arising sweet and ce a seless at the

, ,
kindling o f love fi lls the city with music like the mourn
, ,
ing o f Rati for the burning o f the God o f Love There the .
palaces stretch forth their fl ags whose silken fringe s gleam ,
and fl ut t e r at night in the wind like arms to remove the ,
mark of the moon put to sham e by the fa i r lotus faced -
M alavi s ( 1 1 0 ) There the moon deer marked moves in the

.
,
-
, ,
guise o f his re fl e c t i o n o n the j ew e l pavement co o l with the

, ,
sprinkling o f much sandal water a s though h e had fallen -

,
captive to Love at the sight of the faces o f the fair city

dames resting on the pa l ace roofs There the auspicious .
songs o f dawn raised by the company of caged parrots and

star lings though they sing their shrillest a s they wake a t
, ,
’
night s close are drown e d an d rend e r e d vain by the
,
tinkl ing of women s ornaments reach ing far an d o utvying

’
, ,
1
the ambrosial voices of the tam e cranes ( 1 1 1 ) Ther e .
dwells i a who has pierced the demon A n dh aka with

,
his sharp trident w ho ha s a piece o f the moon on his

,
brow polished by the points o f Gauri s anklets whose ’

,
cosmetic is the dust o f Tripura and whose fe e t are ,
honoured by many bracelets fallen from Rati s outstr e tched ’
arms as she p ac i fi e s him when bereft o f K a ma .
T KR A P I P A
F
D E S C RI P TI O N or
3
( 1 1 2 ) Like hell , he wa s the refug e of the lords of ea rth ,
fearing when thei r soarin g pride was shorn ; like the stars 4
,
h e wa s followed by the wise men ; like L ove he destroyed

5
,
1
Th e n fo ll ows Th e r e —d e mon s p 4 7 l 1 8 ,
’
.
, . .
2
Fo ll o w s p 4 8 l 1 7 gay .
, .
, .
’
3
R e d k l i h ( ) Ki n gs ; ( 6 ) mo n t ai n s
a O
u a a u .
4
Loss o f d p e n d e n c i s o l oss of wi ngs
e e r, .
5
216
of Kri shna rising at the churning of ambrosia w here t h e ,
slope s are torn by the w e ight of the feet moving in the

e ff ort o f d rawm g hither and thith er Vasu ki coil e d in t h e
struggles of Gods and demons where the peaks are sprinkl e d ,
with ambrosia l spray from Gan d h am ad an a beautiful with ,
the hermitage o f B ad ariké marked with the footprints of

Nara and N ar ayan a where the peaks are re sonant with the
,
tinkling of the ornam e nts o f t h e fair dames o f Kuve ra s ’
city where the wat e r o f the streams is p u rifi e d by t h e

,
e vening worship o f t h e Seven Rishis and where the land ,
around is perfumed by the fragm e nts of lotuses torn up by

Bh i ma .
’
CA N D RA P I D A S E N T RY I N TO TH E P A LA C E .
( 1 8 8 ) Preceded by group s chamberlain s ha stening upof ,
and bowing he received the respectful homage of the kin gs

, ,
who had already taken their position there who came ,
forward on all sides who had the ground ki s sed by t h e

,
rays of the crest j ewels loosened from their crests and

-
thrown afar and who were introduced one by o n e by the

,
chamberlains ; at every step h e had auspiciou s word s for

his dismo untin g uttered by o ld wom e n o f the z e nana ,
who had come o u t from inside and were skil l ed in o ld ,
customs ; having passed through the seven inner court s

crowded with thousands of diff erent l iving beings a s if ,
they were diff er e nt wor l ds he beheld his father The king

,
.
was s tationed within surrounded by a body guard whose ,

-
hands were stained black by cease l es s grasping o f weapon s ,
who had their bodies with the e x ception o f hands feet and
, , ,
eyes covered with dark i ron coats o f mail ( 1 8 9 ) like

, ,
elephant po sts covered with swarms o f bees ceaselessly

-
attracted by desire o f the scent of ichor hereditary in their ,
o ffi c e o f noble birth
,
faithful ; who s e heroism might be
,
inferred from their character and gestures and who in ,
their energy and fi e rc e n e ss were like demons O n eit her .
s ide he had white cowries ceaseless l y waved by his women ;

and he s at o n a couch white as a wild goose and bright a s ,
a fair island a s if he were the heavenly e l ephant on the

,
water o f Gange s .
2 17
A TT E N D A N T S
’
V I LA S A V A T I S .
( 1 9 0) Approaching his mother he salut e d her She was , .
surrounded by countless z enana att e ndants in white j ackets ,
like Qri with the w ave s of milk and wa s having her time ,
wiled away by e lderly ascetic women very calm in aspect , ,
W aring tawny robes like twilight in its clouds worthy of

, ,
honour from all the world with the lob e s of their ears long , ,
knowing many stories relating holy tales o f o ld reciting , ,
leg e nds h olding books and giving instructions about

, ,
right e ousness ( 1 9 1 ) She wa s attend e d by eunuchs usi n g

.
the speech and dr e s s of women and w earing strang e ,
decorations ; sh e had a mass of co wries constantly wave d

around her and was waited upon by a bevy of women
,
seated around her bearing clothes j e w els fl o we r s per

, , , ,
fumes betel fans unguents and golden j ars ; she had

, , , ,
strings o f pearls resting on her bosom a s the e arth has the ,
stream of Ga n g e s fl owing in t h e midst of mo u ntains and ,
t h e r e fl e c t i o n of her face fell o n a mirror clos e b y like t h e ,
sky when the moon s o r b ha s entered into the sun

’
.
9 U K A N A S A S PA L ACE .
( 1 9 2 ) H e reach e d Qukan asa s gat e which wa s crowded

’
with a troop o f e l e phants appoint e d for the watch o h ,
st ructed by thousands of horses ( 1 9 3 ) confus e d w ith t h e ,
hustling o f countl e ss multitudes Visited day an d night ,
by Brahman s Cai vas and red robed men skilled in the

, ,
-
teaching o f ( ; akyam un i clothed a s it wer e in the garm e nts

,
of righteousnes s sitting o n one side by thousands form

, ,
ing circles coming for various purposes eager to se e

, ,
Q u kan asa having th e ir eyes O pened by the ointment of

,
their several c a stras and showing th e ir respectful d e votion

,
by an appearance of humility The gateway wa s fi lle d .
with a h undred thousand she elephants o i the tributary -
kings who had ent e red the palace with double blan ket s
drawn round the mahouts who sat o n their should ers ,
having their mahouts a sleep from weariness of their l ong

waiting some saddled and some not nodding their h eads
, ,
2 18
from their long standing motio n less The pr i nce dis .
mounted in the outer court as though he were in a royal ,
pa l ace though not stopped by the guards standing in the

,
entran ce and running up in haste ; and havi ng l e ft his

horse at the entrance leaning on Vai cam p ayan a and
, ,
having his way shown by circles of gatekeepers who ,
hastened up pushing away t h e bystanders he receiv e d

, ,
the salutes of bands o f chi e fs who arose w ith waving crests

to do him ho m age and beh o l d t h e inner courts with all t h e
,
attendants mute in fear o f the scolding o f c ross porters ,
and having the ground shaken by hundreds o f feet o f t h e

retinu e s o f neighbouring kings frightened by the moving
wands ( 1 9 4 ) and fi n ally enter e d t h e palace of C u kan asa
, ,
bright in side with fresh pla ster a s if it were a second royal ,
court .
D E S CR I P T I O N O F N I G H T .
( 1 9 6 ) Th e brightn e ssday approached the west follo w

of ,
ing the path of t h e s un s chariot wheels like a stream of

’
-
,
water Day wiped away all the glow of t h e l otuses with

.
t h e sun s orb ha st e ning downwards like a hand roseate a s

’
fr e sh shoots The pairs o f c akrav akas whose necks were

.
,
hidden in swarm s of bees approaching from familiarity with

the scent of l otuses wer e separated a s if drawn by the
,
noose of destiny The sun s orb poured forth under the

.
’
guise o f a rosy glo w t h e l otu s honey draught a s it were

,
-
, ,
dr unk in with its rays till the end o f day a s if in weariness ,
of its path through the heavens And when in turn the .
blessed sun approached another world and was a very r e d ,
lot u s earring o f the West when t wilight shone forth with

-
,
its lotus beds opening into the lake of heaven ( 1 9 7 ) wh e n

-
,
in the q uarters of space lines of darkness showed clear like

d e coration s o f black aloes ; when the g l ow o f e ve wa s
driven o u t by darkness like a band of red lotuses by blue
lotuses dark with bees when bee s slo wl y entered the hearts
of red lotuses as if th e y were shoots of darkness to uproot
, ,
the sunshine drunk in by the lotus b e ds ; when the even ing -
glow had melted away like the garland round the fac e of
,
the Lady o f night ; when the o blations in honour of the

0
festooned with shoots o f creepers now s eparating and

,
now uniting hanging in twists twining l ike leafage ; the

, ,
stones were wet with the ceaseless dripping o f gu m trees ;-
the boulder s were s l ippery with the bitumen that oo z ed

from the rocks The slope wa s dusty with fragments o f
.
’
yellow orpiment brok e n by the mountain horses hoofs ;
powdered with gold scattered from the ho l e s dug o ut by t h e
claws o f rats ; lined by the b oo t s of musk deer and yaks
-
sunk in the sand and covered with the hair o f r allakas and
rahku s fallen about fi lle d with pairs o f partridges resting
on the broken pieces o f rock ; with the mouth s of its caves
inhabited by pair s o f orang outangs ; with the s weet scent
-
of sulphur and with bamboo s that had grown t o the length

,
of wand s o f o ffi c e.
P A S S AG E S P R I N T E D I N T H E AP P E N D I X 1 .
1 88 , 4 — 1 8 9 , 5 1 9 6 , 4—1 9 9 , 1
19 0 , 6 —
19 1 , 5 2 4 3 , 4 -1 0
19 2 , 1 1 —19 4 , 2
P A S S AG E S C O N D E N S E D O R O M ITT E D .
2
*31 1 0 34 , a
—
,
46 , 7 48 , 4
81, 3 -1 0 -
1o
83 , 1 -8 242 , 6 10
-
85, —
3 89 , 4 —2 4 s, 3
1 19 , —
51 1 24 , 3
1 37 , 7 —1 3 8 , 3
14 1 , 6 —1 5 5 , 5
1 62 , 8 — 1 64 , a
1
T h e fi gu r e s f
re er to t he pa ge an d li n e of t he N i rn ay a -
S agara
ed t o of K d mb i
i i n a a ar .
2
P ss g s m k e d
a a e ar are co n de n s e d , an d o nl y occ asi on l ph as e s a
a r re
t n sl t e d
ra a .
INDE X D E P R O P ER NAME S AND SAN SKRIT WORD S
A . Au b e , ri v e xv
r,
A C AL A , m an , 1 7
a A u c i t y av ra ici
ar c c a vii i
,
-
k
A c c h o d a , l a e , i x , 9 2 , 1 02 , 1 03 , 1 08 , A v alo k l t e ev a-
r a . xv i . 1 6 2
1 12 , 1 8 9 , 1 9 1 , 1 9 5 , 1 9 9 v t
A an i , a r i n e , 1 9 9 p ov c
t
A co k a , a r e e ( J o n e si a A yo ka ) , 4 0 ,
B
ot
4 3 , 1 1 7 , 1 7 8 n e , 1 86 , 1 9 4
.
A c v am e d h a , sac ri fi c e , 1 3 8 B ab h ru vzt h an a , a arri r , 1 3 8

‘
w o
A cv at t h am an , a w o
ar ri r , 13 8 B ad ar i k fi , a e r i a e , 2 1 6 h mt g
w o
A b h i m an y u , a arri r , 13 7 , 1 38 B k
a ula , a t
r e e , M i m u s p s e le n g o '
t godd ss
A di i , a e , 2 13
g sty s g
A a a , a a e , xi , 1 8 , 1 9 , 20 , 4 9 , Bl e a, v .B l a ar a m a, 22
2 10 B al a, a king , 2 13 not e
A gh am arsh a n a , hym n , 38 , 14 1 B alah ak a , a w arr io r, 6 1 , 6 2 , 6 3, 6
g
A n i , xvi , 4 , 9 , 1 1 , 1 4 , 3 5 , 41 , 4 5 ,
72 B alar zi m a ,
‘
r b oth
er ri n a, E of K sh
A h av an i y a , fi r e , 4 0 33 , 5 l , 9 7 , 1 5 6
Ai r é v at a, I n d ra s’
ele ph t
an , 5 , 4 6 , B an a , o r B an ab h a t t a , t h e au t h o
8 5 8 6 , 9 6 , 1 09 , 1 3 3 , 2 1 5 vi i , V 1 11 , x11 , X I V , xvn , xy m , xi ) a
A j at a q at ru , a in , 50k g xx
, xxi , xx
ii , 3
kb
A ar , xi v B zma , a e
’
d mo
n, 1
c ty
A lak é , a i , 9 B d
e n all , r P of o
e ss r , xi v
k k g
Al ar a , a i n , 8 8 B h agi r at h a , a k g
in , 3 , 2 5 , 37 , 4 7
ct
A i nr i t a , n e ar , 8 , an d p a ssi m 72 , 8 8
A n anga , god o ov f l e , 66 Bh ar a a , a t k g
i n , 4 7 , 60 , 7 2 , 8 8 , 1 0
A n d h ak a , a e d mo n , 4 7 , 2 14
s t t o o jo
A fij a li , t h e al u a i n f d
in e u p B h at su , a gu 1 ru ,
r ai e s d h ds an , 38
Bhi m a, a w i o 60 78
arr r, , ,
2 16
A n wb a n d h a , 1 8 0 B h i sh m a , aw a i o 3 0 rr r,
A n wn asi ka , a n a al s so d un , 1 1 Bhoj xvi ii a,
A p av ak t r ak a , m te re , xi i B h ig s g
r u, a a e,1 38
p s ar a se s , t h e , ymphs
n , 64 , 1 00 , B h fi sh ana , o r B h fi sh an ab h a t t a ,
V l l]
1 0 1 , 1 02 , 1 1 2 , 1 40 , 2 0 7 xx i ii , 1 8 3
h t
A r a , xv i , 1 6 2 B hm
ra a, 2 , 3 , 1 0 , 41 , 55 , 94
ps s
A r i sh t ii , an A ar a , 1 0 2 9 6 , 1 0 1 , 1 0 5 , 1 34 n e , 1 4 7 ot
j h o
Ar u n a , a e r , 1 8 , 1 3 7 , 1 38 ( K i r B ri h ad r at h a , a i n , 5 3 k g
t avi r y a , a k gin , 2 7 ) B h sp t
ri a a i, a s g
a e , 4 , 1 1 , 46 n e ot
B hm
A r t h ap at i , a r a an , 2 50
A i t h ap a t t i , xi x
'
B r i h at k at h a, xn , 3 n e , 2 1 2 ot
A r u n dh at i , 4 6 B th ss
ir l e , t h e , 1
A r a,y mt e r e , xi l , 1 1 n ot
e B dh
u sta, a ar , 2 1 4 n e ot
A sh fi dh a, 3 6 , 4 6 , 1 0 5 B u ddh a , xv i i .
s d mo
A u ra, e n , 9 , 6 3 B u ddh ac ari t a , 9 4 n e ot
2 24
G . H i r an y ak sh a, 2 1 3
G nga
a , or G ng s
a e ,
3, an d p a ssi on H om a sac rifi c e , 39
G an dh am é d an a , an , 86, l ph an t
e e H yb i sc u s M t b l s n ote
u a i i , , 1 69 n ot e ,
mo t
165 a u n ain , 1 6 2 n e , 216 ot 175
G dh v s h v
an ar a , e a e nl e in y b gs
, i x, 3 ,
I
1 00 , 1 0 2 , 1 0 8 , 1 1 2 , 1 1 3 , 1 2 0 , 1 3 7 ,
.
I n d i an L i t e rat u r e H i stor y , oi , by
1 6 1 , 1 6 2 , 1 6 3 , 1 6 5 , 1 66 , 1 8 4 , 1 9 1 , W b xv iii
e e r,
I n d i sch St di n W b s 9 7 n ot
e u e , e er
’
, e
G an dh v m ar a, arr i a g e ,
2 08 In d ra, god xi i 3 6 1 8 4 8 50
a , , , , , , ,
G é r h ap at y a , fi r e , 4 0 6 1 6 3 6 4 6 5 8 7 n ot
, , 1 02 1 3 6 , ,
e, , ,
G d k g of b ds
ar u a , in ir 2 , 2 9 , 6 2 , 63 , 2 04 n ot e
64 , 2 12 I n d fi y dh
r st e d 6 2 n d p i m
u a ,
a e , , a a ss
G au r i o r D u r gé , 9 6 , 1 12 , 1 3 2 , 2 1 3 , I t ih a Th
sas , l g n d y hi sto i s e, e e ar r e ,
2 14 60
G h a t o t k ac a , i Bh m s
a so n , 30
’
h
G e e , o r gh i , xv
ii , 3 8 J .
s d c
G o gi r sh a , an al j u i e , 1 3 3 -
b
J a al i , an a sc t i c e , i x, x , xi , 3 5 , 40 ,
v
G o d av e r i , a r i e r , 1 9 4 3 , 2 02 , 20 3 , 2 04
o
G m a ga , 4 0 J ai n , x v i
G o r o c a n d , a e ll y ow p gm t
i e n , 8 , 84 , J é lap ad a , an a e i , 4 6 sc t c
1 04 J ar asan dh a , a in , 5 0 , 5 3 k g
d m gods
G u h y ak as, e i , 1 00 J é t ak a , xv i
v
G u nav i n ay ag a n i , ii i J at i , a fl o w e r , J a sm i n i t m Gr an d i
G u fi j a, a sh b ru , 2 8
fi o ri t m 9
Gu a , apt s dy sty na , 2 J ay a dr at h a a
,
in , 1 37 k g
g o s t ch
G u r u , re li i u ea e r , an d p a ss i m
J
,
i n adh ar m a , 2 1 2
H .
K
I I amsa , a an G dh v ar a, 1 02 a bi d
r ,
K ab an d h a , a R aksh s a a, 20
5 , an d p a ssi on K ac a, a g ss ra , 40 , 9 7
H ar i , V i nu , 1sh K a d ali k é , 1 44
H ari n i k fi , 14 5 K d mb
a a a, fl e r , 1 12 ow
H ar i t a , an a sc ti c
3 5 , 4 6 , 20 2 , 2 0 3 ,
e ,
K é d am b ar i , t h e e r i n e , i , V 111 , xxi , h o
2 0 6 , 2 0 7 , 2 08 , 2 0 9 1 40 , 1 4 5 , an d p a ssi m ; t h e ,
book
pg o s
H ar i t ala i e n , 1 2 2 , 14 5 i -
xx
ii i , 3
H ari v arnca , 2 9 n e , 3 7 n e , 1 38 , ot ot K a dr fi , Qe sh a s
’
moth
e r, 2 13
2 13 K ai l a a , a s mo t
u n ai n , i x , 3 , 7 , 4 7 ,
H sh C
ar t P of sso Co ll
a ari a , r e r w e an d an d p a ssi m ; a m an , 7 4 , 7 5
Thom s
Mr . v xv ot
a , V ii , iii , ii n e , K ai t ab h a , a e n, 51 d mo
xx ,
ot
1 1 59 n e
. K kko
a l a , a l an , 1 6 p t
H sh
ar a, or of
H ar sh av ar d h an a t
K alah amsa , a e al , 12 , 24 , 3 5 , 3 9 ,
v xv
T h an ecar , V ii , i i i , ii 6 7 , 7 9 , 9 2 , 1 04 , 1 4 4
t b
H e m aj akut as , a r i e , 9 0 K alak fi t a , po so
i n , 78
mo t
H e m ak fi t a , a c tyu n ai n an d i , K al i , D g
u r a, 2 8
1 0 2 , 1 1 3 , 143 , 1 6 3 , 1 6 7 , 1 7 1 , 1 7 2 , K al i A ge t h e Ir n A ge , 9 6 , 2 1 5
. o
1 8 6 , 2 0 7 , 2 0 8 , 209 K d b d
i l in i , a ir , 1 5 0 , 1 5 1 , 1 9 4
H i d am b fi , a e d mo
n , 78 K p
al a , t h e re e a t th t g
r an e i re , ts d s s
Hm l y
i a a a, mo t
u n ai n , 1 4 , 9 2 , 2 1 0 , 8 6 , 14 5 , 1 6 0 , 1 7 4
2 12 K m god of ov
a a, l e , 66 , 6 9 n e , 8 1 , ot
Hm v t
i a a v . Hm l y
i a a a, 9 2 an d p a ss i m
H i o u e n T h san g, ii n e xv ot K am ali ni k a, 1 4 5
H i r an y agarb h a , t h e go l d
e n e gg, i e , . . K am an d ak i y a N i i Qi st r a , xi v -
t -
B hm
ra a, 2 K d
an al a , p
l an ai n , 1 6 1 n e t ot .
I I irany ak aci p u , a e n , 30 d mo K an d ali k é , 1 4 5

25
sh
K au st u bh a , V i nu s ge m , 5 1 , 5 7 ,
’
L kshmi godd ss of fo t
a e r un e , x, 9
78 , 158 4 8 , 7 7 , 2 06 , 2 0 9
K ap i fij ala , a ra B hman , x i x , 1 1 1 , L v
a al i , a re e t
( A ve r r h a A c i d a ) , o
1 1 5 , 1 18 , 1 22 , 12 3 , 1 2 7 , 1 28 , 1 29 , 14 4 , 2 1 5
1 3 1 , 1 33 , 1 34 , 1 9 6 , 1 9 7 , 2 07 L av alik zt , 14 4
'
K ar i r a, a p
l an , 1 6t '
L av a ri gi ket , 1 45
'
K ar n i su t a , 1 7 g
i fi a ,
i
’
a s e l e , 9
5 mb m
K tk y
ar i e a , w ar god
, 3 , 49 n
-
e , 66 , ot L o p am u dr a, i e A a a, 18 , 19w f of g sty
9 2 , 9 6 , 162 , 2 15 n e ot
K a th xv
a, xii , iii M .
K a th Koa-
c a , x vi M ad ale k h a, K ad am b ari
’
s c o n fi d an t e ,
K a th -
t g
a S ari S a ar a , xi , i i i
-
x 1 48 , 1 50 , 1 5 6
K vy -
xx
a a P r ak aca , M d n ( god of Lov ) 8
a a a e , , 17 ; ( t he
K s t
e ar a, a re e (M i mu s
p s E le n gi ) , o tho n ppl ) 1 7
r -
a e ,
ot
8 5 n e , 1 0 4 , 10 9 M adh i c p 194
av
'
, re e er ,
K e sarik a, 1 4 4 M dh b n g n t i i n ot
a u a ra v e , xv n
, ,
t
K e t aki , a r e e ( P an d an u s O d o r a M dh k i t b h
a u d mo n
a a a, a e , 17
t i ssi m ws) , 1 6 , 1 4 4 , 14 7 , 1 7 7 , 2 10 M adh u k ar i k éi , 14 5
K e y fi rak a , K ad am b ar i s a e , 14 1 , ’
p g M d
a i r a, 1 4 0 , 1 5 1 , 2 08
an d p a ssi m M agad h a , a un r , 5 3, 1 48 co t y
Wood
K h an dav a , 35 M h bh
a a ar a a , t h e e i , 4 0 , t pc
Kh w o
ar a , a arr i r , 2 7
w o
K i c ak a, a arri r , 1 8 M ah i b h i sh a , 2 01
K d m s g
in a a , a a e , 1 3 7 M ah fi ov e t a, a an ar a rin e G dh v p
, c ss
myth c b gs w th
K i n n ar as, i al e in i i x , x , xi , i i i , xv i , , x
1 03, 1 1 3 ,xx
h bod s
um an ho s s h ds
i e an d r e ea
’
1 4 2 , an d p a ssi m
t cko d mo g G d
l a e r , r e n e a n t h e an M ah ak ala , i a, xv i , 4 7 , 5 3 , 2 00 ,
v s
b ar a asm sc s u i i an , i x , 9 0 , 9 1 ,
M ah av ar ah a , V i
'
sh nu
’
s Bo ar - a v at a r,
d
K i m p u ru sh a l an , 1 0 2 , 1 6 1 , 1 7 3
K ir at as, mo tu n ai n e e r , 9 0 s M h avi
a ra fi r e s, 2
K r au fi c a , Mo t un , 48 , 9 2 M h i sh
a a, a d mon 9 e ,
K p
ri a , a m an , 3 6 M ah o d a a , a a ,
y h ll 1 9 6
K sh
ri n a, a god
x vi , 4, 7 , 8 , 2 1 , 2 9 ,
, M ain a , a r , bi d 2 1 1 39
, , , 1 4 5 , 1 50 ,
3 0 , 3 7 , 66 , 7 3 , 9 3 , 9 5 , 1 3 8 , 1 6 2 , 19 4 , 2 19
2 16 M ai n fik a , un , 21 1 Mo t
K sh ap an ak as, xv i M ak ar an dik zt , xi
'
K sh e m e n d r a , ii i v M ak ar ik a ( a e e l e ar e r) , 5 2 ; ( an b t b -
K sh i r o d a , a m an , 1 4 0 , 1 4 1 a tt d t
e n an ) , 1 44
K u ca ( so n of t
S i i ) , 1 7 ; ( a r a ), g ss wom
M alab ti ri , an al a ar , 1 6 of M b
M alat i k a, 14 4
K ulav ar dh an a, a wom
an , 5 8 , 5 9 , 7 4 M t g
a an a ( o i an id a ir ) , 8 , 9 , C d b th
K u lfi t a , co t y
un r , 7 5 1 0 ; ( a m an ) , 2 8
K m
u ar a , t h e w ar god
4 9 , 66
-
, M t
al a i ( J a sm i n u m G r a n d ifl o r u m ) ,
K u m ar ap ali t a , a m st
in i e r , 1 1
K u m u dik a, 1 4 4 M alav i s , wom n of M lw e a a, 2 1 1 , 2 14
K t
un i , a q u e en , 137 M al a y a , hill s of M l b a a ar , 9 , 5 1 ,
K u t aj a , a r e e ( Wr i gh t e a A n t i d y
t
se n t e r i c a , 9 7 M an s a a, a l ak e 23 , 4 1 , 5 1 , 1 1 3 , 19 0
,
K v
u e ra ( god of w e al th
) , 4 , 1 08 n e , ot M nda ar a , Mo t un , 4 8 , 5 0 , 85,
ot
2 04 n e , 2 1 6 ( a r a B hm
an ) 2 1 62 n ot e .
L
M n da
a the
r a, ra - r e e , 1 0 5 , 1 7 4 , co l t
210, 2 1 1 , 2 15
.
L aksh m an a , b oth
r er o f R am a, 19 , M an d h at ri , a i n , 57 , 8 8 k g
2 0 , 2 12 M au kh ar i s , t he , a f mi l y
a ,
1
15
22 6
M an o r am a , Q u k an a sa
’
s wi f e , P an d v s T h
a a , e, 18 n ot e, 93
P an d k in g
u, a , 137
M an o r at h ap r ab h a , xi P ar a cur é m a , a a ar v t
V i nu , 6 , of sh
M a n t r a , h y rn n , 3 9 , 27, 61
M aru ts
, t he in , 1 00
w ds p ot
P ari h asa , a arr , 1 5 0 , 1 5 1 , 1 9 4
M at ri k a s, t h e , e godd ss s
e , xv i , 5 6 P ari k shi t , a in , 1 3 8 k g
M th
a ur a , a i , 201 c ty P i rij é t a , r al co t
r e e , 1 09 , 1 1 0 , 1 1 2 ,
-
M at t am ay ur a , 1 6 8 1 1 7, 126
M ay u ri k a , 1 4 5 P v t w
ar a i , i fe i a , 8of , 6 3 , 10 3
M e gh ad ut a , 9 6 n e ot P ar v at i p ari n ay a , ii i v
M e gh an ad a , a arr i r , 1 7 1 , 1 74, w o P at r ale kh a, t h e er
’
h os
c o n fi d an t e ,
1 7 5 , 1 8 5, 1 8 7 , 1 9 1 , 7 5, 8 6 ,
M k
e n a a , an A ps s ara , 1 38 1 7 1 , 1 7 3 , 1 7 4 , 1 7 5 , 1 7 7 , 1 7 9 , 1 80 ,
M eru , Mo t 3 6 1 9 un , , , , 64, 1 8 3 , 1 84 , 1 8 5 , 1 8 7 , 1 8 8 , 19 1 , 1 9 3 ,
M i lk y O c e an , 2 , 8 5 , 96, 1 9 5 1 9 7 , 2 08
-
P s
e r i a, 6 2
M r i n alik a , 1 4 4 P t so s
e er n
’
E ii n d t o of
K é d am b ari ,
M ri t t ik av at 1 , a i c ty 64 ,
v n , V 1 11 , X 1 1 , x v n , X I X , , iii xx xx
Mu k u t at a di t ak a , v i ii Pp t
i al , a re e ( F i c u s R e li gi sa ) , 5 6 o
M ul a, a co n st ll t i o n 4 6
e a ,
P i p p ali , l n o g p pp
e e r, 1 4 5
M niu , a n A ps s 1 02ar a ,
Pt s
i ri , t h e M s
an e , 14 , 3 9
M a ni , a n sc ti c 3 9 n d p a
a e , , a ssi m P r aj é p at i , t h e C to
re a r
,
1 4 4 ,
M u fij a, a g ssra 1 04
,
1 69
N
P r am ad v ar fi , an A ar a , 1 38 ps s
.
P ram at h as, e d mo s
n , 47 , 2 1 0
N fi ga , a sn ak e , an e e l ph an t , P r am at i , an a e i , 1 3 8 sc t c
30 P r i t h ur aj a, a i n , 4 k g
s p t
N ah u sh a , a e r e n , 1 9 , 2 0 ,
P r i y angu , an i p cs d
e e , 1 39
k g
N al a , a in , 4 7 , P u last y a , xi
v
N alac am p u , i ii , xi v P u n d ari k a , a r ah B
an , i x , x , xi ,m
N alak fi b ar a , a god ,
1 08 x i i i , xi x , 3 , 4 , 5 , 8 , 9 , 1 09 , 1 10 ,
d s wood
N an d an a , I n r a
’
, 2
1 , 5 7 , 1 09 1 1 5 , 1 1 6 , 1 1 8 , 1 2 0 , 1 2 1 , 1 22 , 1 2 5 ,
d s g
N ar a a , a a e , 6 0 , 1 6 2
1 2 6 , 1 28 , 1 3 1 , 1 3 3 , 1 3 4 , 1 3 5 , 1 3 6 ,
k
N ar a a , a e d mo n , 37
1 38, 1 9 2 , 1 9 3 , 1 9 5 , 19 6 , 1 9 7
N a r a -N ar zl y a n a ,
‘
Ar u n a a nd j P u ri n a , s s c d g d y h sto s
a re l e e n ar i ri e ,
K sh
ri n a, 2 1 6
N ar ay a11 a, V i sh 11u , 4 , 50 , 54, P uru sh o t t am a , V i n u , 7 9 sh n ot e

58 ,
P u sh k ar a , a l a e , 3 7 n e p c ot
m d
N ar a a , o r N e rb u dd h a , ri e r , 2 7 , v
215 R .
t
N e r a , a re e , 1 8 t R agh u v amga , 9 4 n ot e
N i p u n ik a, 1 4 4 R é gh av ap fi n d avi y a , xx
sh d
N i a a, a u i al m sc
n e, 30 ; a ot R gh
a u, a in , 20 k g
m o u n t ain e e r , xi , R h
a u, t he e n d mo of cl i ps e e, 1 , 31,
N r i si m h a , o r N ar a i a, V i nu i n s mh sh
h i s M an li n A a ar , 3 , 8 5o v t R aj an i k a
i , 144
’
R aksh s s d mon s 13 7
a a , e ,
P .
R ll k
a a d 2 20
as , e er ,
P a ksh a
p at a , p ti li ty
ar a , 40 n ot 2 1 1
e , R am kin g
a, a of D c , so n a a r at h a , 19 ,
P l ag
a a, a t re e (B u tea Fr on d o ) sa , 2 0 , 2 1 , 2 7 , 4 0 , 50 , 2 1 2 , 2 1 5
18 , 19 R m y
a a ana, t h e e i a p c of R m a, 40 ,
P allav i kfi , 14 5
P mp a l k 2 0 24
a , a a e , , R am b h ei ,
‘
an Aps ara s ,
64
P n s b d f it t
a a a, re a ru re e , 39 R nk d
a u 2 3 2 20e e r, ,
P an c al1 st yle , xvi ii R p i n 1 0 5 n ot

a , e
P a nc av at 1 , a di st r i c t , 1 9 R po e t i c ch m xm n ot
a sa , ar , e
28
godd ss D u géi 3 0 1 8 2
U m zi , t h e
‘
e r , , V i cv am i t r a , a a e , 5 0 s g
0 n
7 d h i m tin g b t w n t h e
, a r ee e ee V i ov av asu , a G an ar dh v ki ng a , 1 38 ,
b ows xv ii
r ,
1 62
U h m ap
s Th spi i ts of n c sto s
as, e, r a e r ,
V i h y adh ar as, i n e r i r f o e i ie , xi , d t s
44 x ii , 1 4 1 , 1 4 5
p c ss
U t t arai , a ri n e , 1 3 7 , 1 3 8
‘
q
V i lasav at i , a u e e n , 5 1 , 5 2 , 5 5 , 5 7 ,
tt R m
U ar a a a C ari t r a , 2 7 n
- -
ot e 5 8 , 5 0 , 6 9 , 7 3 , 7 4 , 7 6 , 84 , 1 6 1 ,
U t p ali k é , 1 4 4 1 7 4 , 1 8 4 , 1 88 , 19 0 , 1 9 9 , 2 0 2 , 2 0 7 ,
217
V V in dhy fo st , V 11 1 , 6 , 1 6 , 28 , 33 ;
.
a, re
V é c asp at y a by V ac asp at i , Ta
ra mo t u n ai n , 1 8 , 22 , 2 8 , 30
na th a, 180 l t
Vi n a, u e , 1 0
V a ci sh t h a , a a e , 4 6 s g ot 50 n e, t moth of G
V i n a a, er ar u a , 2 , 4 d
V ai b h ash ik a s , a u B ddhi st school , V i p ula , a m an , 1 7
2 12 n e ot t k g
V ir a a, a in , 1 8 , 1 37
V a i gam p ay an a , a arr , vn , p
i ii , ot v V i r i ii c a , r a B hm a, xvi , 1 6 2
i x , x , xi , 1 0 , 1 3 , 1 5 , 1 6 , 2 00 , 2 0 2 , V i r o d h a , xi x
2 06 , 2 0 7 , 2 1 8 ; Qu k an asa s so n ,
’
Vi sh a/m a m , xi x
5 9 , 60, 6 1 , 6 5 , 69 , 7 0, 7 1 , 72 , 74 , sh
V i nu , 1 , 3 , 1 8 , 33 , 39 , 45 , 48 , 5 3 ,
8 7 , 8 9 , 14 1 , 1 6 4 , 1 6 7 , 1 7 0 , 1 7 2 , ot
5 7 , 72, 7 9 n e , 8 2 n e , 1 58 , 2 1 3 , ot
1 74 , 1 8 7 , 1 8 8 , 1 89 , 1 9 0 , 1 9 1 2 15
V ai n at e ya , G d
ar u a , 4 sh P
V i n u - u r an a , 1 n e , 2 7 n e , 4 1 ot ot
k
V a a, a e d mo
n , 29 not e , 44 n e , 106 not e , 12 0 n ote, ot
V a kr o h t i , xx ot
1 34 n e , 1 6 2 n e , 2 0 1 ot
V a h t r a , xi i V ri sh ap ar v an , C i v a , 5 0
ll s
V a i n e ri a , a a er w t pl t
an , 22 , 69 , -
V r i sh n i , a a i , 1 3 7 f m ly
1 63 V y asa , a e e r , 3 0 s
V an am ala, 2 1 n e ot
V ar u n a , god of oc
e an , 1 7 , 2 0 , 3 6 , W .
9 0 , 9 2 , 2 04 n e ot
a re e
( C ra t Wb e er, P ofe sso
r r , xvm , 97 n ot e
o
t a e v a R x b u r gh i i ) , 1 7 , 1 5 8
Varu n a , wi n e , 1 7
' Y .
ot
V asav ad at t a, 3 n e Y j a ur Ve d a, 2
s d v k g
V a u e a , a in , 2 0 1 Yak sh as, d mi gods
e s bj ct to
u e
s p t
V asuk i , a e r e n , 6 4 , 6 6 , 2 1 6 Ku v 9 era,
V asu s, t h e ,gods ,
40 , 20 1 Y m god of de ath 4 1 6 8 5
a a, , , , , 2 04
d mo
V at ap i , a e n , 19 n ot e
f m ly
V at sy ay an a a i , V 11 , 2 Y m d gn i
a a B hm n 2 01
a , a ra a ,
d ot
V e a, 1 n e , 3 , 1 5 , 3 9 , 4 1 , 5 0 , 5 6 , Y m n a t h i v J mn 8 9
a u , e r er u a, , , 22 ,
9 6 , 101 , 203 88 , 156 , 175
d g s
V e an a , w r e o ks
ai n i n t he xp l g k g
Yay at i , a i n , 4 7 , 2 0 1
d s
V e a , 50 Yog a, ra p ct c of
i e re i i u lgo s c onc en
d t S
V e an a ar a , 1 80 n e ot t r at i o n , 3 9 , 4 9 , 1 2 8
V i bh and ak a , an a e i , 5 4 sc t c Yo j an ab ah u , a e n, 20 d mo
Vi c i t r a m , xi x Yo j an agan dh a, V y asa s
’
moth e r, 30
V i cr av a sa, a , a god f th o f K v
er u e ra, Yu d dh i sh t h i r a , a kin , 5 0 g
xvi , 2 1 7 n a , e r a , 144
GE N E RAL I NDE X .
1
A 2 03 g ni s c s A
’
ur e o n p ar r ots an d
A ccompl i shm e n ts , 10 , 60 e e l ph an ts 1 1 ,
t e b d din g wh n to u ch d
A go k a - r e u e e
by wom n s f oot 1 78
a a
’ D .
A do n m n ts 7 8 9 12 14 1 7 1 8
r e , , , , , , , , D n g s of yo th n d p osp e i ty 7 6
a er u a r r ,
35 , 38 , 5 1 , 5 2 , 65 , 7 4 , 8 4 , 9 7, 1 1 7, D d sto d to l i fe t h 1 38
ea re re
,
e,
1 5 9 , 1 69 , 1 7 4 , 198 , 2 17 D sc i pt i on s of sc t i cs 1 9 3 5
e r a e ,
, ,
m ts
A ul e , 10 , 5 6 , 12 9 1 04 ; sc ti c s c v 9 9 ; sc ti c s
a e
’
a e, a e
’
m s
An i al , 1 6 , 2 0 , 22 , 2 6 , 2 9 , 36 , 42 , mp l oym n ts 3 9 1 3 5 ; sc ti c
e e , , a e
wom 1 62 ; Q b en ,s 27 ; n a ar a , a
An o i n tin g a n e ck l ac e 1 65 , n c mpm
e t 1 7 3 ; C n d al a il
a en a v
A sc e t i c s spi ri t p assin g b e yo n d t h e
’
l g 204 ; ch s t h 24 7 3 ;
a e,
,
a e, e,
worl d of gods 2 07 , ch il dhood 5 4 ; c own p in c s r r
,
e
’
A st r ol og e r s 1 9 0 ,
p al c 8 9 ; d wn 2 3 ; di vin
a e,
,
a e
A t h e i st i c ph il osophy 1 14 , b in g e 1 3 3 ; v n in g 4 4 1 14
a, e e
,
Au sp i c i ou s so n gs of d awn 2 1 4 ; , 1 39 1 60 ; fo st
,
1 6 ; h ll of re
, ,
a
,
w o ds r f or di smo nt in g u , 216 au
,
di n c 1 2 1 4 ; h ll of x c i s
e e, ,
,
a e er e,
1 3 5 9 ; h mi t g 1 8 24 38 er a e,
B , , , ,
.
p c i 42 ; king 3 4 7 2 1 5 ;
ea e o
Ba n a, li fe
wo k s vi ii ; f , vn ; r , re e r
ki n g s body g d 2 1 6 l k s 2 0
’
,
-
u ar
, ,
a
,
e
e n to xii xi ; styl f xvii
ces , , v e o ,
3 1 9 2 ; m ini st 11 4 9 ; hi er,
, , ,
s
xx g e n e l ogy i 2 3 a o , , e
,
l v é 2 1 7 ; n i ght 4 5 cl os i
e,
,
e o
B thi n g i n cowsh ds 5 5 in s n k e
a e , a
161 ; p al c of l n in g 5 9 ; a e
,
e ar
, ,
pon ds 5 6 ,
p n n c s to win
e a n 55 e q a so
,
ueen ,
B e e s fo mi n g an e i n g 1 1 7 ; a
, r arr ,
51 ; h t in 122 ;
er g n of
re ue,
,
re 10
v i l 12 6 1 5 5
e , ,
K il s 220 ; st d 6 2 ; to il t
a a a, ee e
B e ggin g bowl 9 9 -
,
U j j yi n i 2 1 0 w hi t n ss a
,
e e
,
B c le t a good om en 1 9 8
ra e as , 9 6 ; wom n 5 ; z 5 1 1 44 e
,
e n an a ,
,
B u ddhi sts 2 1 2 , tt n d n ts 2 1 7 mpl oym n ts f

a e a ,
,
, e e
,
o
,
0 .
14 4
Ch an g d e l ti on shi p s in n oth e
e r a a r
D i ffe r e n e , 2 18 t s cts
b i th 2 0 7 2 08
r , ,
D iffi c u lt y ri in o f s g to
a hi gh b irt h er ,
203
( Ji
; va s
’
sh in n d li aga 9 5 r
; h i e a , s
D v i h mt
four f c e s 9 5 a d
r a i i an e r ,
1 7 2
Con j o s f an a 1 14
ur r
’
,
, ,
D ms
re a at t h e e n d ni of ght , 57
C t i on by th ght 1 0
re a ou ,
C s e s 6 4 13 7 1 4 1 19 6 1 9 7 20 1
ur , , , , , , ,
2 0 7 ; c n n ot b c ll d 1 9 7
a e re a e ,
El e m e n t s t h e Wi tn e s s e s of i ght an d r
fo n d d o n pp al to t th 1 9 3
u e a e ru , ,
w on g r ,
192
N m s gi v
1
i t h S nsk i t I d
a e en n e a r n e x are n o t
, g e n era lly re peate d here .
2 30
El e ph an ts st art l e d at f ll of coco
a a Mo n t ain s bo n d y
u , u ar , 1 62 , 2 15
nu t , 8 n ob l 6 40 e, ,
E y e s of the c a ko r a re dd en in t h e M s i c l i n st m n ts 1 0
u a ru e , , 1 3 , 60 , 8 1 ,
p re sen c e of po i so n , 1 39
M st d s d n d gh i o n a b by s
u ar -
ee a a
’
F p l t 54
a a e,
Fo m b i th
r er r , re sults oi ,
1 1 , 44, 5 3 , Mysti c s spi i t ap t f om h i body
’
r ar r s ,
19 5
F un e ra l pyr e , 13 3 , 19 5 , 200 Mythol ogy A i a at i d S n sk i t ,
r v a, v e a r
I n d x ; A ps s f mil i e s t h 1 0 2 ;
e ar a a , e,
Or .
spi c i o u s m ks 3 7 9 2 B h
au ar ra
, , ,
G m s 5 1 0 6 0 1 5 2 1 55
a e , , , , , ma gg
’
9s4 o wo led gg 2 ; , , r r e ,
G i fts 5 9 , , to B h ra c st l w s bo t food 2 0 5 ; i
a e a a u ,
a s
’
m n s 5 6 1 9 5 2 00 2 0 1 t
a , , , , a a d nc 2 1 ; Q t d i p 19 7 ;
a e, ve a v a,
b i th 5 4 ; t w ddi n g 1 29
r , a a e , d ght s of t h Si ddh s 4 5 ;
au er e a
Gol d n g 4 1 9 6
e a e, , d e of t h moo n 4 6 5 2 1 24
er e
,
Gol d m st d l v s a gi ft 5 6
u ar -
ea e , 215 ; d e gol d n 20 ; d mon s
e r, e
, ,
e
, ,
Gods t k in g oth bodi s 64 2 0 1

a er e , , 1 2 7 2 9 5 0 2 16 Doomsd y 1 7
,
a
,
,
Gods o f wood n d sto n b t i m g s a e u a e
,
u rr u
,
s o n d d by s n s 4 0 1 20 ;
,
e
,
u
,
o f in vi s i b l gods 1 9 8 e , D ip v t h s v n 5 0 9 7 n ot ;
as, e e e ,
,
,
,
H
l ph n ts o f t h e q t s 2 1 ;
e e a u ar e r .
g di n s of t h wo l d 204 I o n
u ar a e r r
H e rmi t ag e of B ad ari k a, 2 16 Ag 2 7 4 1 9 6 ; k al p a t
e, 86 , ,
,
-
re e , ,
1 60 , K au st u b h a ge m 5 1 ;
1 74 :
J ,
J ai n s n d J i n dh ar m a , 2 9 , 2 12
oc of
e an fi n al e ru i n , 1 23 ; d st ct o
a
o u sy b i d s
a
oc se an , t h e f ur , 3 , 5 0 , 1 4 7 ; o
J e al 151
’
, a r ,
v s
ri e r t he W i e ,
e an , 19 ; su b v s of oc
K .
m ar in e fi r e , t h e , 7 7 un ee , s ’
s st ds
K ad mb a t st i xv p pos
ar i ,
’
in e re o ur e
t h e , 2 1 , 4 7 , 1 1 4 , 1 2 2 ; su n r i n i n d k g
o i xxi ; p l ot of K ad mb i fo n d ‘
a
,
ar
’
u
t he an i nw n , t h e , 106 g moo
,
in t h K th a S i t S ag
e xi ; a -
ar -
ar a ,
’
O .
l it y p ll l s xx ; pl an of
e r ar ar a e ,
O r d e al s 49
t n sl t i o n xxi i ; di ti o n s s d
ra a , e u e ,
,
P
xxii i B an s p ai s of i t 3 a
’
r e ,
K ad m b i b q sts 1 9 4
a ar
’
s e ue ,
P arr ots 22 19 3
, ,
Ki n g b comin g h mi t 2 00 2 02
e a er , ,
P n lty of ch i l dl ssn ss 53
e a e e ,
Ki ll in g n sc t i c 1 2 3
a a e ,
P ena n c e 1 9 2 ; pow i 42 ,
er o , ,
1 9 7 ; it di vin in s i ght 44 s e , ,
203 ,
L 206
L i ght p oc di n g f om a co ps
r ee r r e, 19 5 Pi ct of K am
ur e a, 19 4
Li t t 1 0 39 4 0 4 9 5 0
e ra ur e , , , , , , 60 , Pow s t h ther ,
e r e e , 48
1 52 , 1 62 , 189 , 20 1 , 2 12 , 2 13 ,
2 17 Q .
Lov of d
e eer for u i m sc ,
40, 95 Qu al i t i e s o f sto y a r ,
2
Lov e of li f e, 34 , 1 3 4
R .
M .
R g e ain i n g m mo y o f f o m b i rths
e r r er ,
M gi c c i c l 5 6
a r e, 2 03
M gi c it s 8 3
a r e , R gi o n s t h t en 48 1 08
e ,
e , ,
M i g 1 8 8 2 00 ;
arr a e, , fi re , R m e di e s f o f v 120
e r e e r,
G an dh v l wf l ar a, a u ,
2 08 ; R ni o n ft d th 133
eu a er ea , ,
13 7 , 1 7 8 ,
ag in st 1 4 0 1 4 2 ; of
a , , a t re e
c e pe 194
r e r, R p n t n c 2 06
e e a e,
M t A ya 1 1
e re , r , R sol vin g to d i at a f
e e ri e n d s d ath
’
e ,
Mi dd y co n ch 1 1
a , 1 33 ; buk e d 1 36 re ,

The Romance of Kadambari by Banabhatta Human: Provide a concise summary of the document in 2-3 sentences

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Romance of Kadambari by Banabhatta Human: Provide a concise summary of the document in 2-3 sentences

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

O R I E N TA L TR A N S LA TI O N F UN D .

A n e ll ak éralmvi shk ri t avﬁt saly e n a c ari t e n a k asya

TH E st 0 1 y o f K a da m b a r i i s interesting for several 1 e aso n s .

I t i s a standard example o f c lass i c al pros e ; it has enj oy e d

his t ory o f I n di a n literatur e and I n d i a n thought .

B an ab h at t a its author lived in t h e reign o f H a r s h a , ,

var d h an a of T h ah e gar the great king men

t i o n e d in m a n y inscription s who extended ,

his rule over the whol e of Northern India and f r o m whose ,

reign ( A D 6 0 6) dat e s the H a r s h a era used in Nepal

B arga as he tells a s both in t h e Harsha Carita and in ’

the introductory verse s o f K a dambar i was a Vat syayan a ,

B rah m an His mother died w hil e h e wa s yet yo u n g and

his father s t e nd e r care of him record e d in t h e Harsha

P of sso Co w ll n d M Thom s th i s s i s n d P of sso P e t e

(p . In his youth h e travell e d much and for a time ,

cam e into reproach by r e ason of his unsettled lif e but ,

the e xp e rienc e gained in f o r e ign lands turned his th o ughts

quiet study in th e ir midst F r o m this he was summon e d .

to t h e court of King Harsha who at ﬁ r st receiv e d him ,

coldly but after wards attached him to his servic e ; and

B a h a in the Harsha Carita relates his own lif e a s a

pr e lude to that of his master .

T h e other w o r ks attribut e d to him are t h e Can d ika

t h e e xist e nce of which is inferred f r om G u n avi n ayagan i s

commentary on the N alac am p ﬁ P r o f e ss o r P e t e rson als o .

wo u l d s e em that B an a wrote the story o f K a dambari in

may have com e f r om such a w o rk .

B an a himself died leaving K a dambar i u n ﬁ n i sh e d and , ,

his son B h ﬁ sh ah ab h at t a took it up in t h e midst o f a spe e ch

speech without a break save for a few introductory vers e s ,

in h o n o u r of his father and in a p o lo gy for his having ,

undertaken the task a s its u nﬁ n i sh e d state was a grief to ,

H e continu e d the story on t h e same plan and

with careful and indeed exaggerated imitation of his

The story of K a dambari is a very complex o n e d e aling

THE m m O F as it does with the lives of two heroes each ,

K AD A M B A RT o f whom is r e born twice on e arth

brought by a Cand a la maiden to King Qﬁ dr aka and told ,

him how it was carried f r om its birthplace in the V indhy a

Forest t o the hermitage of the sage J a b a li from whom it ,

learnt the story of its form e r life .

( 4 7 9 5 ) J ab ali s story was a s f o ll ow s T ar api d a King of

U j j ayi n i won by penanc e a son Can drap i da who wa s

brought up with Vai cam p ayan a son o f his minist e r , ,

Q u k a n a sa In d u e. time C an d r ap i d a was anointed as Cro w n

A t the en d o f it h e reached Kail a sa and while r e sting , ,

th e re w a s le d o n e day in a vain chase o f a pair of kin n ar as

to the shores of the A c c h o da L ake ( 9 5 1 4 1 ) T here he .

b e held a young a sc e tic maid e n M ah acve t a who told him , ,

how she b e ing a Gandharva princess had seen and lov e d

a young Brahman P u n d ari ka ; how h e re t urning h e r ,

fe eling had died from t h e torments of a love at varianc e

with his vow h o w a divine being ha d carried his body to

reunit e d with him ; and how she awaited that tim e in a

another Gandharva princess had vowed not to marry ,

while M ah acve t a w as in so rr ow and M ah acve t a invit e d ,

the princ e to come to help h e r in dissuading K a dambari

and K a dambar i at ﬁ rst sight but a sudden s u mmo n s from

K a dambar i thinking h e rself d e serted almost died of grief

( 1 88 1 9 5 ) M e anwhile n e ws came that his friend

army had been strangely a ffected by the sight of the