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"Mother! Are you sufficiently old"?
Visākhā - "Sir !
Why do you ask such a question"?
The men - "We observed that your companions hurriedly took shelter under the shed in order to save themselves from the shower, but you came walking very slowly, like an aged woman, without caring so much for your s sari which has been spoiled. Will you move in the same manner if you are chased by a horse or an elephant"?
There was softness in Visakha's voice. She said, A young
"Sir! Sari is not very important for me. girl is, so to say, a vendible ware. If she fractures a limb, she is useless. People start hating her, and nobody wants to marry her. This is why I walk carefully and at a gentle pace".
The people were deeply impressed at these words. They saw that the girl was not only beautiful, but also very considerate and sweet-tongued. Whatever words she spoke, she did so after great consideration. They rolled a garland and threw it over her head. Instantaneously, Visakha felt that while a moment ago, she belonged to no one, now she had been taken over. Out of bashfulness, she sat down on the ground. Later, surrounded by her companions, she returned to her home.
The matchmakers came to Dhananjaya's house and introduced themselves. When Dhananjaya asked about the cause of their coming, they said,
"Sir! Our master Sresthi Mrgara has a son whose name is Purņavardhana. He is an excellent young man, with fine health, physical grace and merits. If your daughter is united with him in marriage, then, we think, that will be ideal for both".
To this, Dhananjaya made the following reply,
"Your master is somewhat inferior to me in wealth, but in lineage, we are about equals. It is difficult to find one who is equal in all respects. So, I think, your proposal is good, and I welcome it. vey my consent to your master.".
You con
