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pre-arranged male of the gar
tempie, in darkness, the nun met Carudatta and under the presumption of the before-named vanik youth, she approached his ear and said, Ah now why do you delay ? The auspicious time of marriage-contract is passing away". On hearing this, Cărudatta thought :-" I think this ignorant woman calls me under the presumption on my being some individual, let me, therefore, utilize the good omen land before the pre-arranged person comes here". With this idea in his mind, Cărudatta at once got up. The mendicant nun made him bow down before the image of Kusumāyudha, and made him join his hand in marriage contract with the naturally red and soft hand of Kanakavati Besides, she briefly did some ceremonies suitable to the occasion. With the completion of the marriage-ceremony, Kanakavati did respectful salutation to the mendicant nun and sent her home. Kanakavati. then told Caru.
came
datia," Aryaputra! this custom is not acceptible to honourable persons; it is therefore better that we should live elsewhere for a few days". Cărudatta consented and both of them out of the temple of Kusumayudha. But under the pretext of of making a respectful salutation to the image of Kusumayudha once more, Cărudatta re-entered the temple, and having awakened his companion the court-jester-who was in deep sleep, he narrated the account of his marriage-ceremony. The court-jester said :-O Carudatta ! you go with her in such a way that the
actual state may not come to her notice, and I shall come after passing some time here ". Carudatta then went out of the town fearlessly with her.
Thinking it to be the most suitable time, after lapse of two praharas of night, the vanik youth, came to the temple of Kusumayadha with all the materials for marriage-ceremony and with a low voice he began to say:-O Kanakavati! Come along; I have already come." The court-jester, out of inquisitive curiosity answered him silently with a feminine voice, and as soon as he went near him, the vanik youth, bewildered with fear and ignorant of the real state of affairs, put a flower-garland on his neck, and having tied a wedding band joined their hands
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