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 255

46
SRNGĀRAMANJARIKATHA
perturbed in his mind with a series of worries such as "Where on one hand is my caste and where on the other the elephants? Therefor I am totally lost. What is the way out? And what resort?', LAVAŅYASUNDARI came and asked him what the king had asked from him. Nervously he said "As I am asked by him to get a hun. dred elephants my end is near at hand. How will I be ever released?"
She said: “You accept it, I will get you a hundred elephants".
When the oilman accepted the king's command, the king thought that he would never be able to obtain a hundred elephants, therefore she would be in his possession now. Thinking thus he said "When could you get me a hundred elephants?” Instructed by her, the oilman asked for six months. The king agreed. The oilman then said to his wife: “Why did you (42) make me accept such a fine without the faith (to pay it to him)?” She said to him: "This king is in love with me and under this pretext wishes to possess me. But it is an undesirable hope. He is (like) my father. Therefore you must do what I say, and I shall get a hundred elephants in due time." He agreed to what she said. "My conduct need not be considered when it is a question of your life)", she added.
Then taking with her five-hundred best horses and carts, a retinue adorned with clothes and ornaments of various kinds .......... keeping in mind King SĀHASĀNKA, the abode of all adventures, she started for Ujjayini. After a few days she reached Ujjayini. She took up her residence on the bank of the Siprā, where the heat of the sun was warded off by trees and creepers bearing various kinds of leaves and flowers. She had a rumour bruited about herself that a courtesan, who in beauty surpassed the damsels of heaven, had arrived from some place. She distributed gifts adequately to the suppliant and spent her days in pleasures. She gave hope to the feudatories and others who came there asserting their superiority by saying 'I shall do what I can'. But she never accepted anything from anyone.
As days went by news reached the ears of king SAHASANKA. Out of curiosity he sent his spies to verify the rumour. When they reported that it was true, then under the pretext of going on a hunting he passed by her house. She draped herself in gorgeous robes and showed herself gracefully to the king. On seeing her he fell in love with her, and returning from hunting somehow, he passed by the same path and came to his residence. Reaching home, with his mind striken by Smara's arrows, he sent his clever and affectionate entertainer MUKHARAKA immediately to her place. Going there, meeting her and talking about various things he said after some time