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ŚRNGARAMANJARIKATHA
ly glanced at him with affectionate eyes and exhibited her love by amorous gestures. Inferring his affluence from his form, she thought-'Ah! after a long time a treasure had been obtained; after a long time the tree of hope has bloomed, desire has flowered, and ambitions have borne fruit. (24) Therefore, hence forth, let artful graces revive and let the secrets of harlotry become manifest'. Thinking thus, she started talking smilingly to a friend nearby and looked at him now and then making graceful movements. RAVIDATTA, who till now had not experienced the charms of love knew that very moment that she was enamoured of him, and as if coached by the Fish-bannered-one himself, understood that the gestures were directed to him only. He became doubly excited in mind with love, and thinking that his reactions should not be known to the others, he slowly entered (the mansion) and after performing the worship of Kandarpa, the destroyer of the pride of the three worlds, and offering salutations duly, he went away. Then under the excuse of seeing the pleasure park, with the mind not fixed elsewhere, thinking of her only, he proceeded towards his house. She also, following him with her friends, not avoiding his glances and exhibiting various love gestures, went to her house.
When two or three nādikās of the day remained, she, VINAYAVATI, sent her dear friend SANGAMIKÄ to his house. Going there she stood at his doors for a moment, then announced by his young friends, she entered. Taking her seat she said: I have something to say, give me a private audience', and stopped. RAVIDATTA, recognizing her as her (VINAYAVATI'S) companion, was pleased. He indicated with his eye-brows the company of friends to go elsewhere.
Getting an opportunity she said: "Good one! though this is against your rank and position yet as I am inflicted by anguish because of my mistress, I tell you this, please listen. Since your lordship came within the sight of my mistress during the festive procession of Madana, you have entered her heart cleft by hundreds of arrows of Smara. Since then her heart is pierced by a shaft, her mind is intoxicated, her body trembles and her breathing is heavy; her eyes are anxious to see you, her ears are delighted to hear your virtues, her speech is pregnant with your name, and her desires are to be united with you. You are a righteous man, therefore give my friend the boon of life. Take compassion on the wretched one by coming there yourself. In your sirtis and other sastras it is said that the killing of a woman is a great sin. If you do not oblige her by coming now then know her indeed to be dead".
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