Kathakoca or Treasury of Stories

Author(s): C H Tawney
Publisher: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation New Delhi

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haughtily: "You wicked ruffian, whither do you hope to escape, you infamous Vidyádhara?' While the prince was lashing the Vidyadhara with these bold words, a sudden flash of lightning came; and the Vidyadhara fled, terrified at the lightning. Then Prince Amarachandra said: 'Now, lady, who are you?' She answered: 'On the southern ridge of the Vaítáḍhya mountain there is a city named Gaganavallabha; in it dwells a Vidyadhara named Pavanagati, and I am his daughter, Chitralekhá by name. One day, as I was standing at a window, I was carried off by a Vidyadhara named Vásava, and he brought me here. Then you delivered me. He who now approaches must be my husband Kiranávali.' Thereupon Kiranávali asked Chitralekhá: My good lady, who is this man?' She answered: 'This man rescued me from the Vidyadhara.' Kiraṇávali was pleased, and gave the prince the power of entering another body.* He also gave him a necklace, and said: 'By the virtue of this necklace you shall escape defeat in the day of battle.' After this conversation they all went to their own place. The prince related the events of the night to his father. His father, pleased with his extraordinary courage, gave him the appanage of a prince. At this conjuncture an ambassador arrived, and delivered respectfully this message to the king in open court: 'In the city of Crípura there is a king of the name of Críshena -his daughter Jayaçrí is approaching womanhood. One day the king said to her: "My dear child, what kind of husband would you like: an accomplished or a handsome or a rich husband?" His daughter answered: "A highborn and affectionate husband must be sought for." The king said: "My dear girl, how is he to be discovered?" He then went to bed at night full of anxiety about this matter, and while he was lying in a semi-wakeful condition, the goddess of his family said to him in a dream: "King,
*For a similar story see my translation of the Katha Sarit Ságara,' vol. i., p. 22, with note. See also pp. 417, 418 of the same, volume, and pp. 353 and 627 of vol. ii.
† Kumálara bhuktiḥ, perhaps for kumára bhuktih. In the story of Metáryya a territory is given kumára bhuktyai.