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18
CANDALEHA
Scene 4 (IV. 26. 31-). The King feels sorry that the Queen is
very angry. But Vidūşaka tells him how her anger would disappear on account of her fresh sorrow. Vidūşaka discloses the following facts: After paying respects to the King, prince Candraketu, the son of her aunt's husband, Candravarman, the King of Angas, visited the Queen. He conveyed to her that his sister Candralekhā, her aunt's daughter, while she was playing in the park, has disappeared from Campā; and as yet she has not been traced. Candralekhā has been betrothed to the King (viz., Mānaveda) knowing from an interpreter of marks on the body that she would make her husband a universal monarch. And all this, added Vidūşaka, has made the Queen sorrowful.- The King became enraged and passed orders to investigate from the kings, gathered there, as to who had kidnapped Candralekhā. -Enters the Queen shedding tears, with Tamālikā, and requests the King to search out her sister Candralekhā. All the kings solemnly declare their innocence. The King appeals to the presiding Deity of the jewel Cintāmaņi
to bring back Candralekhā. Scene 5 (IV. 27. 23-). Enters Cintāmaņi-devatā. She presents the
Heroine, hereafter called Candralekhā. All are surprised. The Queen meets her bashful sister with joy. Cintāmaņidevatā announces that Candralekha's husband would be a universal monarch and that therefore the Queen should consent to her marriage with the King. The Queen expresses her consent. Candralekhā is decorated for the occasion. All the kings, who had assembled for the Vişuvotsava, are asked to stay for the wedding festival. The King and Candralekhā are wedded to the joy of all, especially of Vidūşaka who dances with glee.-The goddess wants to know what more can she do. The King felicitates himself; and the play closes with the usual benediction, in which he prays that kings should have stainless fame, that men should recognise mutual obligation, that the learned should be free from jealousy, and that the blessings of Sarasvati should flow for ever. Exeunt All.
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