________________
PUNYASAR
173
At five, he was sent to school The same school was attended by a girl named Ratnasundari who was the daughter of Sresthi Ratnasar The girl was somewhat naughty and was fond of playing pranks on others. She often quarrelled with Punyasar, but Punyasar did not like it. One day, the matter reached an extreme on a remark by Punyasar which was,
"After all you are a woman, and you shall be a slave unto some man"
This evoked a sharp and prompt rebuff from the girl
“But that man will be worthy of my hand, and not a worthless person like you"
"Then these are my last words. I MUST MARRY YOU AND TEACH YOU A GOOD LESSON. Take it for certain that this is my firm resolve"
Ratnasundarı protested.
"No one can win another's heart through compulsion. Marriage is a union of hearts. The sort of resolve you have made only ends in disaster"
Punyasar came back home He made it clear to his parents that unless he was married with Ratnasundari, the daughter of Sresthi Ratnasar, he would not touch food
Said his parents,
"You are yet too young for marriage It is time for you to study To talk of marriage at this age does not sound decent"
"I am not in a hurry to marry, but the betrothal must be completed right now
Now Purandar came to Ratnasar's house and revealed the purpose of his coming As Purandar was a respected person of his community, Ratnasar could not reject his proposal But Ratnasundari who heard the conversation rejected the proposal at once
