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110
*
lamented much to this effect, she gradually got the better of her grief, and she remained living in her father's hut eating bulbs, roots and fruits, alone in that uninhabited forest. One day she reflected in her mind: How shall I be able to preserve my virtue in this lonely wood ? Ah, I know. Long ago my father told me of a plant the virtue of which will turn a woman into a man.' Having resolved to make use of this plant, she went into the forest and fetched that plant and put it in her ear, and by virtue of it she immediately became a man." Then she put on the dress of a hermit, and lived happily in that forest, worshipping the great Jina with sweet-smelling flowers three times a day. So she passed some time. In the meanwhile her beloved, though he enjoyed the pleasures of a royal station, felt his heart empty-like an animal that has been left behind when all its companions have been sold. Sulasá, thinking that she had triumphed, went and made the daughter of the King of Káverí happy with the joyful news. Then King Surasundara sent an ambassador to Hemaratha. The ambassador went and said to Hemamaratha, King of Rathamardana Royal sir, the King of Káverí sends you the following message: "The prince never came here. What is the reason?" So send the prince at once to marry the daughter of my master. Do not despise a good connection.' When Hemaratha heard this speech of the ambassador, he said to the prince his son in private: 'My dear boy, why do you thus perpetually grieve? Have you not heard the saying that one should not blame a deed that is done ?t so, to please me, go and marry the daughter of the King of Káverí.' Then the prince, though unwilling, obeyed the command of his father, and set out to marry Rukminí on a day fixed by the astrologers; then advancing gradually, he reached that very forest. When he saw that forest, the eyes of the prince were bedewed with tears, and he said to himself:
* Compare Katha Sarit Ságara,' vol. ii., p. 302.
†The sense seems to be, It is of no use crying over spilt milk.'
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