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THE SÃNGĀRAMAÑJARIKATHA
OF ŚRĪ BHOJADEVA (TRANSLATION)
PREFACE
(1) Once upon a time, when springtime was nearly at an end; when the bowers of the Madhavi creeper had its clusters fully developed with the blooming flowers; when on the bunches of mango blossoms small fruits had thinly sprouted; when the clusters of Madhūka flowers, which steal the beauty of the cheeks of the Hūna ladies, had almost fallen down; when the Pătala flowers, which resemble the colour of the lips of the women of Lata which are kissed (lit. drunk in) by their lovers, had fully bloomed; when the Malaya breeze brought about inactivity in the dull; when the buds of the Mallikā manifested sparsely like the smiles of the Glory of Summer outgrowing her childhood; when the anxiousness of the wanton women for swinging had lessened (lit. had resorted to languor) and their desire for the pleasure of water-sport had increased (lit. had taken resort to desirableness); when the spread of perspiration which is non-prickly, bristled on the breasts of the lotus-eyed ladies due to the collection of formed drops; when the rays of the Sun, which had not bleached the greenness of fresh grass, were slowly attaining maturity; when the beginning of Summer was gradually setting in, MAHARAJADHIRAJA PARAMESVARA ŚRI BHOJADEVA, who, in the pleasure garden, was seated on the central seat of the dhārāgrha which was studded with moonstones, and whose lotus-feet were worshipped by some learned men, a few relations, friends and kings, was courteously requested thus:--
"Though you are our ruler yet because of the people you are a good kinsman (SUBANDHU), you are the splendour of Śri (SRIBHASA), you are rich in virtues (GUŅĀDHYA) and you have sung the glory of Gods (PRAŠASTAGIRVĀŅA). Therefore, as our minds are deeply desirous, for our delight and knowledge, please tell us a new story.".
Being thus told, (he) smilingly said, "Let it be so, but a story that is narrated bears beauty only when it commences with the description of the town and the like. And there is no city more distinguished than this one, therefore, this (city) alone will have to be described first. And because of the circumstance of my be. ing its ruler I will have to speak about myself which is indeed improper."
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