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of low rank and wished to enjoy her. He was, however, not able to do so as he thought the act below his dignity. His minister Munjāla, coming to know of this, dressed up Mayanalladevi in that woman's clothes, and sent her after usual monthly ablutions to take the place of that woman. Karna, thinking that she was the very woman he loved, received her ardently, and she became pregnant by him. Mayaņallade vi had, as a proof of the interview, taken from her husband his ring. Next day, Karna repented for his sinful deed, but his minister Munjāla explained to him the stratagem by which he was deceived. In this way, Munjāla saved the king from a fall and won Mayaņalladevi's secret blessings. This account of Merutunga is not confirmed by a contemporary writer.
On another occasion, Munjāla helped Jayasinhadeva, Karna's son. When the siege of Dharā was indefinitely prolonged, Siddharaja took a vow to refrain from food until he had captured the fort of Dhäră. The warriors of Gujarat showed great prodigies of valour, but were unable to fulfil the king's vow before the end of the day. At this time, Munjāla intervened, and persuaded
2 Merutunga, Prabandhachintamani, p. 133; Jinamandana, Kumarapalaprabandha, p. 46 Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat www.umaragyanbhandar.com
