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The Story of Muladeva
Yoga Shastra, Second Light, Verse 72
"There is no singer of her praise." Then Devadatta sent a hunchbacked maid named Madhavi to call him. "Most courtesans are lovers of art." Kubja went to him and said, "O Great One! Treasure of Art! My mistress is calling you with respect." To this, Muladeva said, "Kubja! I cannot come. Who can enter the house of a courtesan, who is under the control of a prostitute?" Saying this, Muladeva called Kubja close, and with a desire for amusement, using his artistic skill, laid her down on the earth and in a moment, removed her hunchback, making her straight and beautiful like the stalk of a lotus. When the hunchbacked maid, with her changed form, arrived happily, Devadatta was also stunned by her form and demeanor. She was surprised that her maid, who had received the boon of the gods, could become so beautiful. Therefore, Devadatta said to her, "For such a clever artist and benefactor, even cutting off your finger and offering it would not be a loss. Go, bring him here at any cost." The maid went to Muladeva and with sweet and clever words, brought the cunning king to the courtesan's place, entering through the designated path. Just as Madhava adorned Radha's place, so Muladeva adorned Devadatta's place. Seeing the dwarf, adorned with radiance and beauty, the courtesan considered him to be a secret deity and seated him on a seat with respect. After asking skillful questions, upon being healthy, a conversation full of wit, along with a sweet gathering, began, as a unity of their hearts.
At that time, a wise vina player, skilled in playing the vina, arrived. Devadatta, with great curiosity, had him play the vina. The vina player played the vina so beautifully, with clear grama and shruti sounds, that Devadatta began to dance and praise him. At that time, Muladeva, jokingly, said, "The people of Ujjayini are truly very skilled and discerning of good and bad qualities." Devadatta, with a questioning look, said, "What doubt is there? In the praise of the clever, there is a suspicion of mockery." He said, "What deficiency is there in a vina player like you? It would be surprising to say so. But I can say that this vina is pregnant, it has a bamboo splinter. How did you know?" When the people present asked this, Muladeva took the vina from him, pulled out a piece of stone from its bamboo, and showed it to everyone. Later, he repaired the vina and played it in such a sweet and melodious tone, as if he had poured nectar into the ears of the listeners. To this, Devadatta said, "O Treasure of Art! You seem to be an extraordinary man, in human form, you are the embodiment of Saraswati." The vina player also fell at the feet of Muladeva and said, "Blessed be, Master! I will learn to play the vina from you. Please grace me." Muladeva said, "I do not actually know how to play the vina, but I know those who know how to play the vina well." Devadatta asked, "What is their name? Where do they live?" Muladeva said, "In the east, in the city called Pataliputra, lives the great artist Vikramasen, I am his servant Muladeva, I always remain in his service." Meanwhile, a drama teacher named Vishvabhuthi also arrived. Devadatta introduced him, saying, "This is the embodiment of Bharata himself." Muladeva said, "It must be so. You must have taught him the arts." After that, they talked about Bharata's plays with Vishvabhuthi. In the course of the conversation, Muladeva found him arrogant. Only those who know superficially are like this." Muladeva thought to himself, "He thinks of himself as a scholar. But like gilding copper, I will give him a glimpse inside." Therefore, he spoke clearly and eloquently, pointing out the flaws in his explanation of Bharata's plays. To this, Vishvabhuthi became angry and began to speak nonsense. It is said that when ignorant teachers hear the questions asked by the clever or the learned, they become angry and hide their ignorance. Muladeva smiled and said, "Friend! It seems that you are a drama teacher for courtesans, not for others." Hearing this, he became speechless. Devadatta, with a smile in her eyes, said to the teacher, to erase his embarrassment, "You must be in a hurry to leave now, so later, after thinking peacefully, answer this expert on this subject." Vishvabhuthi said, "Devadatta! Now
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