Mallikamakarandanatakam

Author(s): Ramchandra Mahakavi, Punyavijay
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 17

Mallikāmakaranda remains firm. The merchant then tells him how sixteen years ago he came across a deserted newly-born girl with a signet-ring on her finger and a 'bhurjakandaka' (a piece of birch-leaf or amulet) on her fore-arm. He took up the girl and entrusted her to the care of his wife Bandhumati. As the child was found in the shade of Jasmine plants she has been named as Mallikā by them. The signet-ring bears the name of the Vidyadhara King Vainateya by name, and birch-leaf bears one sentence: "At the end of sixteen years on the fourteenth day of the dark half of the month of Caitra she would be forcibly taken away by killing her husband-cum-protector.' Makaranda now realizes that it is impossible to rescue the girl but puts up appearances and tells the parents not to worry as he would protect their daughter by his magical power. He asks the merchant Brahmadatta to get the material for worshipping the charmed-circle' before the performance of the religious ceremony proper. The merchant directs Sundaraka to get the things required for the worship-as ordered by Makara'da. In the meantime the parents along with Makaranda go to see Mallikā who is suffering from fever, Makaranda infers from Mallika's condition that she is suffering from loves fever. Mallika and Makaranda both are attracted to each other out of overpowering emotion of love; and both feel guilty as both had already fallea in love with a young man and a youthful damsel respectively exactly eight days ago at midnight in the court-yard of the Cupid's temple. The name of the maid 'Bandhula' and the voice of Mallikā lead Makaranda to identify his beloved who is no other than Mallika herself. The materials for worshipping the charmed circle are now brought there. Makaranda helps Mallika to rise from her sick bed. His touch immediately reminds her of the touch of his band when he had shampooed her breast in the garden of Cupid. Makaranda bows down to the charmed circle and worships it with the pair of ear-rings which he had received from the youthful maiden who had been saved by him from committing suicide. The sight of the pair of her ear-rings leaves no doubt in Mallika's mind that the young man with whom she had fallen in love is no other than Makaranda. The parents of Mallika come to know now of the mutual love between Mallikā and Makaranda. It is already nightMakaranda asks all but Mallikā to leave the place. They do so. Mallika vows in the presence of Makaranda that she either marries him or remains unmarried. She then requests him not to commit suicide out of love for her nor to persist in preventing her being abducted. He however tells her there is no greater happiness than dying for one's own beloved. Just then a voice from behind the scenes is heard-inquiring whether he is her pro. tector or husband. He replies that he is both, the husband and protector. The voice ridicules the very idea that a contemptible human being should be the protector and husband of a Vidyadhara damsel. The voice further