________________
S. T. Ninkar
576. Therefore I say, my dear friend, that a maiden, who is
self-willed in this world, particularly one like you, is censured by the people.
577. You are Nalakūbara's daughter, born of Vasantaśră ! How
will you, my friend, do something which is uncommon and censurable ?
578. Only those poor girls, not born in noble families, give them
selves away (in marriage) by themselves. For maidens born in high families there is no way (10 do so) at all! (or, this
is not the way at all !). 579. What I have also experienced like this, I will tell you, now
that occasion demands, my friend; listen attentively ! -580. There was a king, Vipulāśaya by name, who was the lord
of the earth engirdled by the circle of four occans brought under control and who had completely destroyed all his enemies;
581. On whose sword lived for long the whole earth, marked
by his supreme sovereignty right up to the oceans and Lakşmi together with the heavenly damsels and victory
upto the end of the world. (i.e. over the entire world). 582. That king, not happy with that royal glory of supreme
sovereignty in the world, went away after handing over
ali his kingdom to great brahmins, 583. and began to practise great penance on the ridge of the
mountain Himalaya, which had perfumed all the quarters with (the fragrance of flowers of the trees sprinkled over with the cool spray of the water of Gangā (lit, divine
river).
584-585. There, for a long time, sustaining his body ay eating
(only) roots and fruits, living in the company of groups of beasts and birds, wearing barks (of trees). sleeping on rocks and staying in a leaf-hut (i. e. leaf-thatched hut) without any attachment, when he practised (sever e) penance,
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