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Vasudhárá. He had two twin daughters born to him in addition to eight sons, and their names were Jays and Vijaya. In course of time they grew up to womanhood. Now, at this time there lived in that neighbourhood in a forest on the sands of the Ganges & handsome ascetic* with matted hair, named Suçarman, who was a sweet speaker, quick in inventing answers to suit the occasion, and skilled in the science of prognostics. One day ourt father respectfully invited the ascetic to dinner. When the time for dinner arrived, ourf father washed his feet and made him sit down to eat; and then splendid food of delicacies, relishes, and sweetmeats were served up. In the meanwhile we two maidens fanned him with a fan. Then that ascetic, as he was eating his food, observed our beauty, and was overcome with love; and while under the power of love that hermit said to himself: *** Disappointing is the terrible vow, O ascetic, the taking of which is
to be accomplished by discipline of the heart; I must abandon the crowd in the city of Civa, that holds in hand
the spear of that thunderbolt-bearing god. If one does not care for pleasure in the society of beautiful maidens, Then, I think, one may certainly be considered to differ not at all
from a madman.' While absorbed in these reflections he forgot to eat his dinner, and, remaining silent like a devotee, he pretended to be engaged in contemplation. Then the merchant said to him : 'Great sir, eat; it is not proper to meditate now; the food will get cold. When he said this, the ascetic, though absorbed in contemplation, took a little food. At the end of the meal the merchant said : Great sir, what is your grief that prevails so that you have even forgotten your food ? The ascetic said : Merchant, I cannot feel the smallest grief as long as there are persons like yourself devoted to me; but I cannot bear to behold your evil fortune.' When the ascetic had said this he went
* This story is found in the Tantrákhyána.' See the paper by Professor Bendall in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, vol. x., part 4, p. 482, where some parallels are given; among others, the tale beginning on p. 102 of vol. i. of my translation of the 'Katha Sarit Ságara.'
+ The Sanskrit has 'my.'
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