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of the king and she said:-Swāmın! Here is a messenger. The king, looking here and there, said-How is it that the messenger is not seen here?
The queen pointing to a grey hair said :-'Here is a mess. enger of old age.' The king said :--This grey hair is an exceHent messenger of the extent of life and it is indicative of old age.' Saying so, the king became very sorry. The queen said -My Lord I Why are you grieved on seeing a grey hair and why are you ashamed of being called an old man ? I have forbidden all persons to say about your old age even in talk The king replied :--Dear ! I am not, in any way, ashamed of the people by my having grey hairs. But the real cause of my sorrow is that my ancesstors had renounced worldly pleasure before they had grey hairs but I have become blindly attached to sensual pleasures even though my hairs have become grey. Early morning I will renounce this kingdom and will accept ascetic life with a pure heart. But how can I lay the burden of governing a kingdom on my infant son who is at present breast-fed i Or, what have I to do with my kingdom and my son when I adopt ascetic life I shall very joyfully become a hermit and you take care of your infant son. Dhāriņi said--I am determined not to live without you. Virtuous females always follow their husband.
With auspicious intentions, you enthrone our infant son, but I will follow you like your shadow, to the forest and will live there in your service. Our child Prasanna Candra is an infant. He will grow up by his good actions of previous life. Where is my utility in his growth ? Then, King Soma Candra had the installation ceremony of his infant son performed with due pomp, and then, he went to a distant forest accompanied by his wife Dhārini and a waiting-woman and he became a tāpasa (hermit). Having collected leaves, branches and dry wood from the solitary, dreary forest he prepared a hut suitable for giving shelter, also to travellers and to deer seeking cool shade. Living in the forest, Soma Candra Rājarşi, maintaining himself on dry leaves
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