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CHAPTER II
Story of Sāgaracandra, Priyadarsanā, and A sokadatta
(I-108)
Now, in Jambūdvipa in the West Videhas, there is a city, Aparājitā by name, unconquered by its enemies. In it there was a king, by whose power the world had been subdued, Tśānacandra (the Moon of Išāna), equal to the Indra of Iśāna in glory. There lived a merchant, preeminent in wealth, foremost among those devoted solely to piety, by name Candanadāsa, sandal for giving delight to the world. He had a son, Sāgaracandra, who was the prime cause of delight to the eyes of the world like the moon to the ocean. Always having an upright character, his actions governed by dharma, possessing discernment, he was the face-ornament of the whole city.
One day, to see King iśānacandra he went to the palace crowded with vassal-kings who had humbly approached to do service. Then he was received by the King, just as by a father, with great affection shown by giving him a seat, betel, etc. Just then a panegyrist came to the King's door and recited in a voice which surpassed the sound of the conch: “ Today, O King, the Śri of spring with many flowers prepared appears in your garden like a woman-gardener on the alert. Honor with your presence that garden with the quarters made fragrant with the perfume of blooming flowers, like Mahendra Nandana.” The King instructed the door-keeper: "Early in the morning everyone must go to the garden. Have it proclaimed in the city." “You too must go to the garden,” the King himself commanded the merchant's son. For this is characteristic
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