________________
16
narrate the following story of Hâralatâ to Chintâmaņi in order to impress upon his mind that the love of a prostitute also can be faithful and all-absorbing.
Sundarasena, son of a devout Brahmin named Purandara and a resident of Pâtaliputra sets out on a travelling tour with his friend Gunapalita in order to see different countries. He arrives at Arbudâchala and admires the natural beauty of the place. There does he meet in a garden a young and beautiful dancing girl named Hâralatâ. Being mutually attracted they fall in love with each other and Sundarasena passes a year in happiness in her company. Then does Sundarasen's father send a messenger to him with a letter upbrading him for wasting his life in debauchery. He asks him to at once return home as he has become too weak owing to old age to be able to bear the burden of maintaining the family. Filial duty coinpels Sundarasena to part from his beautiful beloved most unwillingly. On the day of Sundarasena's departure Hâralatâ sets out with Sundarasena to see him off and accompanies him up to a babyan tree on the out-skirts of the city. There Sundarasena bids her his last adieu and goes his way. Hâralatâ unable to bear the pangs of separation becomes heart broken and dies on the spot. Sundarasena who is proceeding towards his native place with his friend learns the news of her sudden death from a traveller who overtakes him on the road. He returns with his friend to the place and after cremating her body becomes a Sanyasi. (vs. 175.497)
Then, in case the tale of Hâralatâ should have no effect on Chintamani's mind Vikarâlâ advises Mâlatî to use other devices to cheat Chintâmani of his wealth and not to scruple, when her purpose is thoroughly accomplished, to leave him to his fate and find out another rich man (vs. 498-735). Then Vikarâlâ with a view to strengthen the impression of her advice on Mâlati's mind relates the following story of Manjari in illustration of her precept. (v. 736).
A prince by name Samarabhata, the son of king Simhabbata, visited the ancient and celebrated temple of Vishveshvara in Benares. There did he meet dancing girls, music masters, traders and other persons of different classes. They all honoured the prince with greetings suitable to his rank. When he made enquiries about the state of music and dancing in the temple, a
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
