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CHAPTER ONE we seized Prince Aparājita and took him into the presence of our master, Bhuvanabhānu.
Bhuvanabhānu rose to greet him like the risen sun and hastily seated him on the best jeweled throne. The Khecaralord made Aparājita blush by the truthful praise of his merits and asked him about marriage with his two daughters. Grieved by separation from you, the prince gave no answer and has remained silent, like a muni, thinking of you alone. Then we were instructed by the master to bring you. Searching here and there, we came here and now by good fortune you were seen. So get up, illustrious sir, and start to go there quickly. The wedding of the prince with the princesses depends on you."
Delighted; the minister's son, like joy embodied, went with them at once into the prince's presence. The prince married the princesses on an auspicious day, remained for a while, and went away as before. They reached the city Srimandira and stopped there, their wishes being fulfilled always by the pearl given by Sūrakānta.
One day an unusual noise of a tumult arose in this city and soldiers, wearing armor and with raised weapons, were seen roaming about. The minister's son, questioned by the prince, “What's this?" found out from the people and reported: “Suprabha is king here. He has been struck with a knife by some man who gained admittance by a trick. The king has no support of the kingdom--no son, et cetera. For this reason the people, becoming a body-guard, confused, roam about the whole city. This great tumult is theirs."
“Alas ! He has been struck by some evil warrior, an enemy.” Aparājita remained with his face downcast from compassion. The king's injury grew worse even with treatment and the chief-courtesan, Kāmalatā, said to the king's ministers:
“There is a foreigner in town, a second self, noble, pious, truthful, like some god in form. Since he has all his wishes accomplished, devoid of occupation, very powerful, there must be here some magic herb.”
The ministers investigated and conducted the prince to
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