Lilavaikaha

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

Page 54

Liläväi-Kana of Koühala
1. he came to his native place; and as he lived there happily,
this daughter, Mahānumati by name, was born. 331. What do you say ? (or, Now, you will say), that although
born in Kubera's family and in such a blooming youth, she experiences this great misery quite contrary to her position
(in life) ? 332. You know, that all the girls in their tender age (lit. with
their mouths smelling of milk) spend their days in gay
abandon in their parents' house, 333. Bow to you, O childhood, as you let people stay as they
like, wander as they will, play and talk as it pleases them,
and as you are covetable in every way. 334. This one also used to play at will all the day with her
friends in the beautiful regions around the Meru mountain. 335. Once, at day-break (lit. at the end of the night), she said
to me, “Dear friend, Malaya mountain is never seen by us
before, so why not go there? 336. Playing there with Siddha-girls on the swings under the
excellent Mādhavi-creepers climbing on top of candana
trees, we will come back (home soon)". 337. And I said, “Is there any other region, my dear friend,
that is more charming when compared to this Alakāpuri ?
(Or, more charming than this one around Alakāpuri ?). 338. I say, my friend, even heaven itself will be less interesting
than our own mother-land (or birthplace), in which our i interest grous together with confidence growing in the
heart right from that day (of our birth). 339. Yet, if you wish to go to Malaya, whose caverns are filled
by the waters (brought by the breakers) from the ocean and which is beautiful with the thick groves of Lavalı, Lavanga (i. e. clove) and Elā (i. e. cardamom) plants,