Lilavaikaha

Author(s): K R Chandra, Ramniklal M Shah
Publisher: Prakrit Text Society Ahmedabad

Page 26

Lilavai - Kahā of Koühala
38. So why, my love ! (O delicate one !) do you make me (look)
ridiculous with no study of the science of words (i. e. grammar). It is not possible for me even to speak, much
less so to tell you a great story.” 39. (My) beloved said, “My dear! What is the use of that
science of words, which has blocked the way to pleasure for
people like us ? -40. That word alone, of which the meaning is grasped clearly
without troubling the mind, is a good word; what is the use
of grammar to us? .41. Therefore tell (me) a divine-human story in Prakrit language
which is charming like a beautiful (or innocent) young girl
and characterised by a sprinkling of desi words.” 42. Hearing her (speak) thus, ( 1 ) said. “O my darling ! (lit.
having eyes like those of a scared fawn), if that is so, listen
to this plot of (my) Kathā having well-arranged connections. 43/44. There was - On this venerable earth which has her broad
expansive regions girdled with the circle of four oceans and which has supported the whole world by being itself firmly established on the hood of Śeşa; which has a great weight on account of the happiness of being lifted up by the great
Boar and which is bedecked with different kinds of jewels - 45/46. A country well-known as Asmaka (by name), which had
all its farmer population happy with all rich crops, which had its regions (lit. quarters) resounding with the lowing of the cattle-wealth of well-settled villages, whicb had its parks full of the beauty of the sound of music (songs) accompanying delightful drinking of wine and which was very pleasant
to stay in47. Which was not (yet) separated from the kşta-age, and was
like a resting place of Dharma, like a school of Brahmā and
an abode of (religious) merits, 48. Which was like a teacher of good deeds, like a birth-place
of all happiness, like a mirror of good practices and like a good sowing ground (soil) for virtues all the time. Moreover