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Observations on some Variants in Har acarita
229
must have been well-demarcated and threshing grounds do not pose pro. blem even now. In view of it, the reading 487alazifa7903344 is preferable. The meaning thea would be 'where many pieces of waste-land (Khilakṣetra) were being broken by farmers accompanied with talk on higher ground or with loud talk.
The events that followed the assassination of Grahavarmā are briefly set forth to Harsa towards the close of the eighth chapter, in these words: बन्धनात्प्रभति विस्तरतः स्वसुः कान्यकुब्जाद् गौडसम्भ्रमं गुप्तनाम्ना कुलपुत्रोण निष्कासनं निर्गता7 TITTAUTU 1 ... qfiaa: (P) 250). If the various incidents are taken to be described in historical sequer ce here, then the reading TEATR is utterly indefensible. It would show that a king of Gauda caused tumult in Kanyakubja 5:fore Rajyavardhana was put to death. This is not supported by known facts of the Vardhana history. We know, it was a non-descript ruler of Mālava who killed Grahvarmā and captured his capital Kangauja. Räjyavardhana took swift revenge on Mälavarāja, but was himself killed by the king of Gauda. It appears to be this Sambhrama (tumult) th3t Bāna refers to here. The reading na
1 however, does not yield this sequence. It should therefore be emended to m3 19h. Then the meaning would be that Harşa heard how his sister was helped out of prison by a nobleman, Gupta by name, at the time of confusion caused by the Galda king. This tumult was thus the one in which the ruler of Gauda vilely killed Rajyavardhana, who. as Sankara the Commentator of Hc, averts, had condescended to attend a dinner in the enemy's camp10. In these circumstances, Rajyasi must naturally have heard the death of her elder brother (Rajyavardhapa) after she had escaped from the prisou. This interpretation possible only from the reading 2413, shows distortion of historical events and there. fore merits preference
10. cf. aa f& guia faza1912 pagta #21981aar gafHat 13498a: Fate Ataat 73119 ga ya 579fa: 1 Commentary on Chapter VI.V.1. Also folafzicala ifahaa haaraa 9: 1
Madhuban Copperplate of Harsa.
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