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N. M. Kansara
V: TIME
No narrative exists that does not create some kind of time scheme every novel is both an organization of events in time' and 'a piece of history' 10 One of the functions of the story-teller is to be everywhere at the same time, mindful of past history, conscious of the present and aware of the possibilities of the future In the narrative all known or expected time can be brought to focus on the immediate event, and in the process the "novellst's clock" 18 made to tell different times simultaneoualy,1 On the simplest level, wc demand that a povel offer an authentic version of reality 18
Dhanapala seems to be rather particular with his time acheme. The narrative begins about ono vear before the birth of Prince Harivahana, The king met with the Vidyadhara Muni and god Jvalanaprabha and obtained the boon from the Goddess Sri within three months prior to the conception of Harvabana by Queen Madiravati. Sixteen years are allowed to elapse to enable Prince Harivahana to come of age and properly be educated in various arts and crafts so as to equip him for his role of a hero.18
Vajrayudha launched his attack on kañc and laid the siege of the city in the sarad season of Harivahana's sixteenth year 11 It was on Madana-trayodası day, ie on the thirteenth day of the bright half probably of the month of Caitra, 15 that Vajrayudha demanded the hand of Malayasundarı as a price of peace On the same Dight Malayagundari tried to commit suicide in the Kusumakara garden at Kanclo and was saved by Samaraketu who had a brief meeting with her for an hour or so in the presence of Bandhusuadari, before he launched his surprise nigbt-attack against Vajrayudha These events seem to have taken place roughly between about 8-30 pm, to 10-30 pm, Early next morning Malayasundari wag sent away to the remote hermitage of Kulapati santatapa Meanwhile, at about mid-night Samaraketu launched his nigbt-attack17 and was captured alive. And in a few days he arrived at the court of King Meghav hana at Ayodhya roughly in the month of Vaisakha Thus, the slege of Kāñc lasted for about six dionths or so.
Interestingly enough, it was on the same Madana-trayodası day of Samaraketu's surprise night-attack at Kuñçi that Manjiraka came acrosa, and picked up, a strange love letter near the temple of Cupid in the Mattakokila garden at Ayodhyā 118 He seems to have kept it with him for about a year, or somewhat less and forgotten it, bat, he seems to be reminded of it perhaps due to some point in the poetic meet reminiscent of a cognate situation !
In the Summer season of Harivahana's seventeenth year Samaraketu accompanied him in the Mattakokila garden,19 and Manjeraka produced
