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ŚṚNGARAMANJARIKATHĀ
VATI'S home and seeing her portrait on the walls, talking with it like a mad man and embracing it, he came to the spot where her pyre had been lit. He enquired about the funeral pyre of SUNDARAKA and said: "This is the place of my brother, he has done well". He then arranged a funeral pyre for himself on the same spot as ASOKAVATI'S pyre and threw himself into the fire.
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On hearing of their wonderful account the king thought that he alone was the cause of the destruction of all of them and therefore prepared to cut off his head in the presence of Goddess Aśāpūrā. The Goddess beheld his valour which was all surpassing and distinguished in the three worlds, and said: "Son, do not be rash. Ask what you desire". He then said to her: "Oh Divine one! if thou art pleased then let ASOKAVATI, SUNDARAKA and CHADDALAKA together with their retinue come to life again". When the Goddess said: 'Let it be so' the three of them got up as if from sleep. "I cannot separate you in love": said the king and being pleased gave ASOKAVATI to CHADDALAKA. SUNDARAKA saw his worthiness and valour and doubled the king's favour of gifts.
The king was full of joy on receiving the grace of the Goddess. He returned to the palace and with his people. ruled for a long time happily.
Thus, oh daughter! many courtesans falling in love with men lose their wealth and lives too. Therefore this is our rule that like a tiger love should be avoided from a distance.
THUS ENDS THE NINTH TALE OF LOVE ON BOTH THE SIDES IN THE SṚNGARAMANJARIKATHA COMPOSED BY MAHARAJADHIRAJA-PARAMESVARA-SRĪBHOJADEVA.
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