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INTRODUCTION
yavali attended to the house-hold duties in the hermitage. One morning, while plucking flowers in the forest, she happened to meet the Gandharva prince, Citrangada, who arrived there in his Vimana. At the very first glance she was overpowerd by wonder, respect and modesty. They got themselves introduced to each other and found that both of them came from worthy families. The prince fell in love with her and proposed to marry her. Though responding favourably, she wished that her father is consulted in the matter. Lest hindrances may crop up, he was not prepared to brook any delay. Under the pressure of passionate feelings they got themselves wedded against family customs and spent together some time happily; but she was conscious all the while that this breach of decorum would not pass unpunished. There arrived her father in search of her; and seeing them both seated in the same Vimana, he cursed the prince to go to the world of demons. After some time he became cool and taking pity on his daughter, assured him that the curse would terminate when he is hit on the head in a fierce battle. The wave of the curse carried away the prince, who became the demon-chief Bhisananana in a forest on the bank of Godavari. Kuvalayavali, being ashamed and afraid of her father, slipped away, lamented long over her helpless lot, and seeing no other alternative, decided to hang herself to death on the branch of a tree. While she offered prayers that the Gandharva prince should be her husband in the next life and was about to kill herself, her mother Rambha came there, sympathised with her, and placed her under the care of Nalakübara, well-known for his kindness and generosity.
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The Vidyadhara king Hamsa had two lovely daughters, Vasantaśri and Saradaśri, from his wife Padmä. Much of their time they used to spend in pious devotion, playing on Viņā before Gauri and Hara on the mountain Kailasa. One evening they saw Gaṇeśa dancing with elation. Saradaśrī taunted him and laughed at his ugly poses. Being offended by her discourtesy, he cursed her to be born as a low being. When both of them pleaded innocence and appealed to his mercy, he modified the curse that she would go to the human world, enjoy pleasures and be again converted into a Vidyadhari on seeing a gathering of Vidyadharas, Siddhas, Yaksas, Gandharvas and men.
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Saradaśrī disappeared from that spot and stayed in a forest waited upon by an attendant in the form of a boar. One day the famous king Silamegha of Simhala, while returning to the capital after strenuous hunting, happened to see this boar. He pursued it and was led into a
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