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Lilavai Kahā of Koühala
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262. The peacocks, the spies of darkness, climbed on to the top
of their perches as if to see how much of the evening light
was still left. 263. Mahānumati said to me politely, “Listen, O Bhattaputra!
It is now time for us to enter into a Samë dhi. 264. So you, O great man ! should wait for a while, spending
your time in pleasant exchange of religious talks with
Kuvalayavali”. 265. Saying this, Mahānumati went inside the Samādhi hall and
remained there in meditation, fully concentrating her mind. 266. Then, O king. manifesting my mind with extremely polite
words, and strengthening her confidence, I asked that good
girl with good intentions267. “Your Ladyship! it is but improper for us to speak sudd--
enly such harsh words, slighting the elders. 268. But still, (my) heart made impatient by the failure of
recollection urges me (to ask); so if it does not cause any
distress in your mind, tell me what is all this ? 269. At such a glorious age and with so much beauty of form,
(why) this practising of austerities and this stay in the
penance-grove ?” 270. Hearing this from me, she spoke at once, making the bark
garment covering her breasts wet with tears of emotion. "Brother! what is the use now of your hearing this wretched story of ours, doing bad deeds, which is painful to
hear ?” 271.1 Saying this, she (further) said, “O Brother ! secrets cannot
be disclosed at once to any one, at the very first meeting. 272. Tell me, are one's own happiness, misery, virtues and
fąults and particularly one's secrets told by any one) to
a person whose character and nature is not known ? 273. Still, if you wish to hear, listen! There is (one) mountain
Meru, the happy abode of Gods, which is the foremost
among Kula-Parvatas and well-known in the three worlds; 274. Which (i. e. the mountain) is circumambulated by the
sun's horses with great difficulty as their limbs are tormented
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