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INTRODUCTION
the king. The king admires her sharp grasp, takes her into confidence, and tells her his vision in the dream. She realizes that he might have seen her friend Śṛngara-mañjarī; she requests him to paint her portrait; and from that she discloses that it was that of her friend S.-mañjarī. She writes on it a verse from her friend who, she conveys to the king, is also in love and pining for him helplessly. She takes king's permission to convey all this to her. Evening is announced.
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II. With that painting-board in his hand, the king is brooding over Ś.-mañjari's beauty and poetic skill, Now and then Vidūşaka is adding his comments. Both of them discuss how queen Rūpalekha is jealously guarding the heroine, S.-mañjarī, whom, consequently, they are not able to see. The king tells Vidūsaka that a woman is always unhappy at the presence of a co-wife. While the king is conveying his plan to Vidūsaka, he receives an invitation from the queen, through Madhavikā, to attend the worship of Madana in the park; he goes thither immediately, being led by Vidaṣaka; he is reminded of the heroine seen in that park; both of them wax eloquent on the scenes of spring, visible in the park. They halt under a Madhavi bower awaiting the queen who arrives with her retinue and begins describing spring. They all proceed to the spot of worship, and the king takes seat with the queen. Vasantatilaka taunts Vidūṣaka on the throbbing of his left eye: he feels offended and talks of his learning. He has a quarrel with her. He feels defeated and wants to quit the royal company caring a fig for the prospect of dakṣinā, because his merits are not recognised. At queen's request, he stays there; and with great reluctance, she had to call S.-mañjarī to act as a judge, expert in sentiments, to settle the dispute between the Jester and maid-servant. Madhavikā brings S.-mañjarī who is quite happy at the opportunity of seeing the king. The queen does not want King and S.-mañjarī to see each other for long; she requests the king to begin with her Madana's worship, so that the dispute might be decided in the mean time. Vasantatilaka and Vidūṣaka begin their dispute about sṛngāra in the presence of the judge; Vidūşaka feels that the real purpose, namely, that the king might see the heroine, is served; he gives no replies, and thus loses in dispute. As the business of arbitration is over, the queen asks the heroine to go back; and she, along with the love-lorn king, continues her worship. The blessings of all-powerful Madana are invoked from
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