Srngaramanjari Katha

SR No.: 002914
Original Sutra Author: Bhojdev
Author: Kalpalata K Munshi
Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
Publication Year: 1959
Total Pages: 312
Language: Sanskrit, Hindi
Classification: Book_Devnagari & Literature
File Size: 21 MB

Page 248

TRANSLATION
89
"I shall not be able to live even for a moment without you. Sir, why do you go away? If you wish to go for obtaining riches then all my wealth is yours". Saying this, she gave him her necklaces, jewelled armlets and wealth in gold and started weeping: "If", (she continued) "you wish to go to your country to meet your people, then I have got friends who will bring them here". Thus was he addressed, but he repeatedly said 'mother knows' and pointed towards his own country. When Devadattā thought that she had been deceived and it was not possible to hold him back any more, he was permitted to go, and he quickly started for his own country. After that she reflected thus: "My life is lost, this beauty of youth is fruitless, the pride of good fortune is worthless, the secrets of cheating rogues studied since birth bears no fruit and the secrets of harlotry as taught by groups of bawds and handed down through generations have vanished. Now if he thus escapes de ceiving me, then I shall cut off my breasts and throw them into fire". Resolving thus, she called two girls and instructed them to go after him.
· She said, "Avoiding his sight you two should go two yojanas by the by-path. After you have covered two yojanas, one of you. should come from the opposite village towards him. The other should walk slowly behind him. Then the one coming from the front should ask the one near him, as if recognizing who she is, and then act as has been taught".
Both of them followed him, and met each other the way it has been described. And one said: "Priyangikā! whence do you come?" Priyangikā: “From Ujjayini. But Lavangikā! from where do you come?” Lavangikā "From this village. Many days have passed since I left Ujjayini, therefore tell me how is the king? what is condition of the state? and what is the news?” Conversing thus, picking up pieces of dungs, they walked some distance with him.
Priyangikā: “Sister Lavangikā! How shall I express? In Ujjayinī I heard of a great wonder. The courtesan by name Devadattā fell in love with some mad man. Though she tried to hold him back by offering him all her wealth he did not stay back. Disregarding her he went away somewhere. (34) That very moment, with her heart broken out of love for him she died. And now the women of her retinue and her dependents are preparing to die".
1. On hearing this Suradharman, who was walking, abruptly came to a stop. He asked: "What are you talking about?” When he was told everything upto the went away somewhere he muttered: 'I