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CHAPTER SEVEN
With these reflections the king made his elephant roam about in the same place and did not go forward, as if waiting for some one. The minister, wishing to know his intention, said to the king, “Master, the whole company has arrived. Why is there a delay now?” Collecting his thoughts with difficulty at this speech of the minister, the king went to the large garden, Yamunodvarta. But the king took no pleasure in a grove of mangoes very beautiful with clusters of blossoms, nor in a grove of aśokas with an abundance of dancing young shoots, not in a cluster of medlars filled with bees, nor in a thicket of plantains whose leaves had become fans, nor in a grove of karnikāras whose blossoms were earrings for the Šri of spring, nor in anything else, his mind carried away by thoughts of her. Minister Sumati, knowing his heart, but pretending not to know it, said to the king thus depressed in mind:
“Is there some perturbation or has fear been caused by enemies? There could not be a third cause of confusion on the part of kings. There could not be fear of enemies on your part by whose power the world has been subdued. If there is some perturbation and if it must not be kept secret, tell me."
1The king said: "Enemies were reduced to subjection by you whose power is without trickery My arms are witnesses. Even in some perturbation of the mind, you would surely have a remedy. That is my opinion. So why should I not tell you? As I was coming along just now, I saw on the road a woman, the thief of the wealth of beauty of all women. My mind, wounded by love, was seized by her. For that reason I am depressed. Make a suitable scheme in this matter, minister.”
The minister said, “I know her, lord. She is the wife of a weaver, Vīra, named Vanamālā. I will get her for you very quickly, lord, but the master should go to his house with his retinue.” At these words the king got into his palanquin, distrait like a sick man, and went to his own abode, thinking of Vanamālā. Then Sumati sent a
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