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 276

TRANSLATION
their petals were tinged with the lac-like lustre of the morning sun; when for a moment the clustres of kumudas in the depths of the lakes created the illusion of indivaras due to the lingering darkness; and when the whole world was as if brought to life, made to breathe and awakened by the sun which brightened the whole earth, which destroyed darkness, which was red like the open pomegranate flower and which had attained the position of a crest jewel on the rising mountain, (he made) SUBANDHU tie five hundred pieces of gold to a corner of a coverlet and said to her maid that she may search for the same. From there he went to the gambling house to play dice.
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When LAVANYASUNDARI woke up in the morning and en quired of the maid about him, the maid replied: "I do not know where he has gone. While leaving he asked me to search for the coverlet". And when the maid found it, LAVAṆYASUNDARI saw five hundred pieces tied to its corner and she said: "The talented one is not only handsome, but is generous too. Where can gold, and that too fragrant, be found?" When BAKULIKA came she said: "Dear friend, he has gone away somewhere, please search for him". BAKULIKA mounted a she-mule and with her retinue went to the gambling house.
She saw him there playing boldly amongst the rich men. She knew that many women are under the power of gamblers and so stood there silent. After some time when he saw her he said:
"Sister, how long have you been here?"
"Since a long time" she said. "It is not proper for people like you to come to such places" he said and defeating the opponent, he asked the keeper to make an account. When the keeper said he had won fifty thousand drammas, he said: "Give to my sister four hundred drammas for tāmbula and send sixteen thousand to LAVANYASUNDARI". Then distributing ten thousand in charity he came to LAVANYASUNDARI'S place with BAKULIKA.
According to her standards he spent the whole day taking his bath, food and SO on. At night after enjoying his company LAVANYASUNDARI said affectionately: "Where (62) do you come from? and where do you wish to go?" He told her from where he had come and said: "In the morning I shall go and recruit in the services of the sovereign king PRATAPAMUKUȚA".
"If you are going to earn wealth, know that I am rolling in riches, you may spend them. You may do whatever you wish to do after they are all expended." "In case of a person like you, the body alone is serviceable, not wealth, that is indeed given. There fore I will certainly go tomorrow."