Book Title: Kathakoca or Treasury of Stories
Author(s): C H Tawney
Publisher: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation New Delhi

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Page 180
________________ 154 one that you saw in the fourth watch of the night, and who is disgraced by the appellation of Lamia, was my daughter. So if you have the power, take her, or punish her yourself.' Mitránanda said: 'I will see once whether it is possible or impossible.' The king said, 'Be it so.' Then Mitránanda went by order of the king into the pavilion of Ratnamanjarí. She, seeing that he came by order of her father, showed him honour by offering him a seat, and so on. Then Mitránanda said to the princess: My good lady, let me tell you the state of affairs. My dear friend, Prince Amaradatta, saw your form sculptured in stone in a temple in the public gardens of the city of Pátaliputra, and he has consequently fallen desperately in love with you, and if he does not obtain you he will die. I am his great friend, Mitránanda by name, and I have come here for you. For the sake of Amaradatta I have denounced you to the king as a Lamia. It was I that took away the bracelet from your left wrist during the night, and I made with my dagger a mark on your right thigh. Henceforth I will do whatever pleases you. Now you must do all that I tell you; if you do not consent, I will die in this very spot; and then Amaradatta will die in Pataliputra, so the title of Lamia will certainly attach to you. So do as you like.' When Ratnamanjarí heard this, she deliberated in her mind, and said to Mitránanda : 'Mitránanda, as your friend Prince Amaradatta is in love with a stone image of me, I must save him and you, even at the cost of my own life.' Mitránanda answered: If this is the case, then you must hiss when the king hands you over to me.' Having given her these instructions, Mitránanda returned into the king's court. The king said: Master of spells, can you subdue her or not?' He said: 'I can subdue that woman, but give me a horse. Before the sun rises I will take her to another country.' When he had said this, the king, being terrified, dragged her by the hair, and handed her over to Mitránanda, hissing all the time. Mitránanda also, muttering inarticulate spells, lifted Ratnamanjarí on to the horse, and departed from the city at sunset. As Rat Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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