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a white elephant with an umbrella resembling the whole orbit of the Moon beld over bis head, accompanied by his four-divisioned army marching with thousands of flags and banners went to rece!ve the Kumāra, Within a short time, King Dévasena met Nara-Vikrama Kumāra, and with an affecticnate embrace, the king inquired about his L.alth. On seeing the excellence of the shape of the body of Nara-Vikrama . Kumāra, in a moment the king thought:-"Now, the pride of the strength of arms of Kāla-Mégha will certainly vanish." After remaining in company with the Kumāra for some time, the King sent away the retinue of the Kumāra to the places made ready for them;. Nara-Vikrama Kumāra was kept in the palace specially decorated for him. Elephants, horses etc, and suitable articles of food and drink-materlal were sept for his use. Various dishes of numerous vegetables and other cooked articles of food were sent for the Kumāra and his associates. Besides this, whatever was appropriate for the occasion, was speedily done.
In the after-noon, the king summoned some of his ministers to his presence, and said:-Ah! you go to the Kumāra and tell him that my daughter is fond of strengh Therefore you vauquish wrestler Kälanégha and show your valour." Saying just as your majesty orders" they went to the Kumāra and in. formed him about the message of King Dévaséna. Immediately Nara-Vikrama Kumāra accepted the proposal of a fight with Kāla-mégha.
On the next day, a spacious arena was prepared, and platforms of columns for spectators were arranged Citizens adeembled out of curiosity. The king along with the members of bis harem came there, Silaváti-surrounded by numerous maidservants and with a garland of expanded flowers of various kinds took her seat on the platform. At that locality, entrance of other people was strictly forbidden, Bodyguards kept up a protective circle. Musical instruments of many kinds, making deep solemn notes resembling the sound of agitated great ocean of the destructive age or the roar of the peculiar cloud causing dearth-were creating a pleasant sconce.
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