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907
At the right moment, girding his loins with a tightly fitting cloth, and securely tying his braid of hair, and also abandoning all his ornaments Nara-Vikrama Kumāra, difficult to 'be looked at by the excellence of his valour resembling fire-as if he were in close proximity of a deity-immediately came down from his seat on the platform. The bright flower-garland from his neck was hanging as far as the surface of his feet. He had put on vira-valayas (armlets indicative of heroism); and he was roaring like the cloud of the pralaya-kāla (destructive age). At this time, Kala--még ha-with his eyes red on account of bewilderment caused by pride, keeping his shoulder high out of pride, came there with a speedy and active galt, surrounded by a crowd of spectators.
Nara Vikrama Kumāra addressing wrestler Kāla mégha, said: Ab wrestler! Leave aside all the pride of your previously acquired fame, and yon immediately accept your defeat." On hearing the dignified words of Nara-Vikrama Kumāra, the pride of Kāla-mégha became dull and he began thinking about what is right and what is wrong by his own natural intellect-“Even if I were to defeat the prince, it is no great credit to me. But if I am defeated, I will certainly lose my livelihood. He possesses unparrelleled strength and valour. I am very doubtful about my success. This is a great calamity. encircling me like a big rope, on all sides." Under. the influence of numerous depressing sentiments, the heart of Kala-mégha was rent and he died of heart-failure. There was much up-roar and people loudly declared:- Ahl the sight of the prince is immensely powerful; only by looking at Kala-mégha, adamantine heart of the wrestler was lacerated with a noise. Nara-Vikrama Kumāra is, in every way, victorious
79
Coming down from her seat on the platform, Śîlavati, surrounded by her maid-servants, placed the varamala ( garland given by a bride to a man of her choice) on the neck of Nara Vikrama Kumāra, with gratification of her heart Drums and musical instruments-suitable for auspicious occasions and capable
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