Kathakoca or Treasury of Stories

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

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and wretched. The king had her longing satisfied, and when the days were accomplished a son was born. The ceremony of cutting the navel-string was performed, and the boy was called Dípaçikha, because from the day of his birth he had on his forehead a gem by way of a mark, and it resembled the flame of a candle in brightness.* This produced astonishment in the minds of all men. Now, at this time there was in Kántipura a king named Vikramasena; he had a daughter named Gandharvadattá. She was proud of her skill in playing the lyre, and so had a high opinion of herself; and she gave out that she would accept as a husband any man that could beat her in the accomplishment of playing the lyre. Then the king had a building for a Svayamvara constructed. All princes were invited. Dípaçikha also, having grown up to be a young man, came to the Svayamvara. When all the princes were seated on platforms, Gandharvadattá came into the midst of the guests assembled for the Svayamvara. When Dípaçikha saw her, he said to himself: "O the skill of destiny in composing the universe!'
Then Gandharvadattá saw Dípaçikha. She said to herself: This man is a jewel among men, even if he does not possess skill in the pastime of playing the lyre. So I must marry him.' Thus the princess fell in love with Dípaçikha at first sight. And at this conjuncture a man of the name of Jálandharat cried out in the middle of the guests assembled at the Svayamvara: 'Hear, all ye princes! The princess has made a vow that, if any one of the princes assembled here shall surpass her in playing the lyre, that man shall be her husband. I So now display, each of you, your knowledge of the lyre.' Then, having heard this, a conceited prince played the lyre. A mad elephant was placed near; the prince by playing the lyre quieted the elephant. Then the princess thought: These
* For parallels see the notes to Miss Stokes' Indian Fairy Tales,' p. 242 (Story of Phulmatí Rání).
+ Or from Jalandhara.
I A princess, also called Gandharvadattá, makes the same promise in the Kathá Sarit Ságara' (vol. ii. of my translation, p. 431).