________________
-- PUNYASAR
179
From Gopalaka did I come by divine grace
And after marrying, seven girls thither do I return. She came back to her sisters and reported atcut tle couplet, adding,
"How far can he go ? Even if he hides in the underworld, I must find him out"
Gunasundari dressed herself as a young man and moved out promising to come back within six months on completion of her mission If she failed, she said, she would consecrate her body to the flames.
Named as Gunasundar and dressed as a man, she came to . Gopalaka. Gunasundar called on the king and won his
favour by giving him a costly present Gunasundar now :started his business in the same town and came to be acquam inted with Punyasar. But this did not throw any light on the problem beyond this that the people came to know that a young merchant from Ballabhipur was in the city on business The merchant was educated, intelligent and handsome, Somehow Ratnasundarı heard the report about him and asked her father to see if this merchant was suitable for her.
Now Ratnasar came to Gunasundar and made the proposal., To Gunasundar this sounded absurd He tried to get cut on some pretext. But Ratnasar was desperate. He said,
"Sir ! My daughter is keen to have you for her husband So please do not decline the proposal."
Gunasundar reluctantly agreed. The two were married on a suitable day.
When Punyasar came to know that the girl betrothed to him has been married to another man, he became furious He picked up his sword, came before the family deity, and pretending to chop his head with his own hand, he said,
"Mother ! You have runed me. If you were not capable erough to help me, you should have been frank
