________________
LĪLĀVAI
[581
be looked upon as a case of व श्रुति कह = कहं. असावणं असावर्ण्यम्, ie, violation of सावर्ण्य or similarity of caste ?
364
KUVALAYĀVALI TELLS HER TALE TO MAHANUMATI 579-665.
580-633) The mighty king Vipulāśaya, being displeased with his extensive fortunes, gave his kingdom to chosen priests and started practising a severe penance on the Himalayas. Indra became nervous at his success and sent the celestial nymph Rambha on the earth to hinder his austerities. She could enkindle his cupidity; and after remaining with him for a while, she became pregnant, to the satisfaction of gods. The day I was born from her, she left me there and went to heaven. My father invoked the aid of sylvan deities who nourished me with fruit-juice. I grew up with the animals of the forest and began to attend to domestic duties for my father. One morning while I was moving about for gathering flowers in the forest (Described 593-97), I happened to see a celestial Vimana (Described 599-600) which was alighting on the earth and was occupied by an attractive youth (Described 601-3) who was looking at me. Overpowered by wonder, respect and modesty I offered flowers before him and felt happy to have seen him. In reply to his kindly inquiry I introduced myself to him. He told me affectionately that our meeting was not improper for he too came from a Gandharva family and that his name was Citrangada. He disclosed his intense love for me; he expressed his will to place all his possessions at my disposal; and he made a proposal for my hand (in marriage). His words thrilled my heart with joy and my eyes responded favourably. I was filled with passion. Quite modestly I expressed my approval, but requested him to mention all this to my father in the hermitage. Lest hindrances may crop up, he was not willing to brook any delay. He held my hand, and even against the family custom we got ourselves wedded under the pressure of passion. After spending the whole day under the Saptacchada tree in that charming park, I told my beloved in the evening that this violation of decorum on our part would not go unheeded. He asked me not to fear, but go to his abode; and he assured me that my father would be appeased after some time.
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581) Orenze:? 585*1-3) (J). These three gāthās are found in the oldest MS. Even if they are omitted, the narration does not suffer much. They make the context clearer, add some clarificatory details, and have a dramatic tone about them. The last gathā adds that when his mind was ruffled by seeing her, the fire of passion began to burn bright. 587) 9, at the time of delivery, at the time of my birth. 588) Here fa is used with the Acc.; even in Sanskrit a sometimes appears with the Acc.; प्राहुः in the गीता 590) पोत = a young one, or a garment. 592) The expression कम्म क्खणएण presents some difficulty; खणय क्षण, time (in general), festivity (by rule, festivity); or an an? 593) We want the reading farea for fasa. 594) The first line is identical with that of 1030; compare the second line with portions of 57, 229 and 628. 598) Note the loss of initial
arafa
=
पसूण.
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