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the king placed his son Malayasundara on the throne, and, accompanied by Árámaçobhá, took a vow. Both of them observed in it a conduct without reproach, and obtained the happiness of heaven. When they fall from it, they will go through some births in succession and obtain salvation.
Here ends the story of Árámaçobhá.
Here begins the story of Rishidattá, having reference to virtue. STORY OF RISHIDATTÁ.* In this very Jambudvipa, in Bharatakshetra, is a district called Madhyadeça; in it was a city named Rathamardana, in which lived a king named Hemaratha. His wife was named Suyaças, and they had a gem of a son named Kanakaratha. At this same time there was in the northern quarter a city named Káverí; in it reigned a king named Surasundara, and the name of his queen was Vásulá, and they had a daughter named Rukminí. In course of time she grew up. When her mother saw that she had recently attained womanhood, she adorned her with ornaments on all her limbs, and sent her into the presence of her father. She bowed before him, and then he took her on his lap, and said to himself in his heart: This girl is in the first bloom of youth; to what bridegroom must she be given? Ah! I know. King Hemaratha has a son, Prince Kanakaratha; he will be a deserving bridegroom for her, and no one else will.' After the king had determined on this plan with his ministers, he sent an ambassador to King Hemaratha; then the ambassador asked for Kanakaratha, and he, by the order of his father, set out for the city of Káverí. He advanced by forced marches, and had to encamp in the forest districts of the border. Then the loads were taken off the camels; the lines of tents were set up on all sides; the horses had the saddles removed from their backs and rolled on the ground; the elephants were taken to the binding-post by their
This resembles very closely the story of Kadalígarbha in the Katha Sarit Ságara.' See vol. i. of my translation, p. 286.
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