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-76
S. T. Nimkar
781. Is she a Nāga-damsel or a Vidyadharı or Goddess ? Or
Asura--youth or a Siddha -woman descended to this mortal world ?"
*782. Then, as we were full of curiosity apout her name, resi
dence and family (lit. birth), she spoke to her friend
Vicitralekhā783. "Dear friend Vicitralekhā, just go over to this penance
grove; in the meanwhile I will finish my worship of Bhavani".
784. As that Vicitralekhā came here at once, O brother, we
noticed that she was her own heart, as it were (lit. second
heart). 785. As she bowed with great politeness, we asked her, “Good
girl ! who is this extraordinary maiden having such
friendly relations with you ? 786. Whose daughter is she ? For what purpose has she come
here ? Where will she go ? Tell us, what is (her) name ?
Where does she stay ?" 787. And she replied, “Good lady, if you have curiosity (to
know this), listen ! I will tell you what is to be told in
detail. 788. There is a king, ruler of Sinhala-dvípa, Silāmegha by
name, whose fame has spread all over the earth bounded
by three oceans and whose valour is undefeated (anywhere). 789. On a good day, he had gone out to a big forest for
hunting; and after sporting for a long time he was return
ing towards his capital from the forest. 790. So, disturbed by his army consisting of infantry, horses
and elephants, a boar with huge tusks suddenly came out. 791. Then, with only a horse for his company, the king began
to chase that boar; and as he went (inside) the forest thickly (overgrown) with trees and plants,
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