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Book Review
SAMBODHI
the husband as to why did he marry the ascetic girl on way, as to what did he find in Rsidattā that, having married with her he cancelled even to come to Kāverī, that of what sort was the ascetic girl. Although with sad heart, but being inspired out of the intensity of the heart full of love, the prince heavily praised Rsidattā in front of Rukmini, lowered her down, and said to her that it is in separation from Rsidattā from Rsidattā that she has become his beloved. Does the sweet dish of thickly boiled milk (rabadī) not get liked, in the absence of the sweet dish of rice, milk and sugar (khīra) ? Now, trembling with fiery rage, Rukmini revealed herself in true colors, and spoke out clearly as to how she had stigmatized Rsidattā. Kanakaratha was angry on hearing this and told very bad words, as since she had landed an innocent woman like Rsidattā, he considered Rukmini as an enemy and got ready to immolate himself.
Sundarapānī, the father-in-law intervened and stopped the prince, while the ascetic Rsidattā smiled and told the prince: “A master of the Earth like you would meet the death for a woman is but the ignorance. Have you forgotten that you have pressed me to come here in the forest ? If you will remain alive you will regain your beloved.” When the prince was consoled, thus, he told the ascetic: "why do your deceived me? Does anybody who has died, ever comes back alive? The problem for the prince was how to undergo the pain of separation. If the ascetic would help him regain the beloved through his penance, he showed the preparedness to entrust himself to the ascetic. Being pleased, the ascetic informed him that by this daring, his beloved has become pleased. The ascetic used the power of his knowledge and said that he would go there and send the beloved, and asked him as to what will he give if he would sacrifice that much to make the prince happy. When the prince showed readiness to give his life, and asked him to promise of giving whatever he would ask at the proper time. The prince promised the ascetic.
Rsidattā in the dress of an ascetic, went behind a curtain and returned in her original form of a woman. The gods remained the flowers there, and all were surprised on seeing her. Rukmiņī looked so pale in comparison with Rsidattā, as would the brass look before the gold. Everybody felt that Rsidattā is fit in all ways for the prince. The king Sundarpāni himself came and sat the prince and Rsidattā on an elephant, took them round in the city and brought them in his residence. Sulasā was made to ride a donkey and go around in the city, and then she was driven away from the city. Then he scolded his daughter Rukmiņī in very harsh words. The prince, too, enjoyed
