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ŚṚNGĀRAMANJARIKATHĀ
am that sinner' and determined to put an end to his own life returned to Devadatta's house.
40
When he reached there he saw on one side pieces of sandalwood, on the other curious garments and pots of ghee, and also heard the wailings of her routine. On seeing him from a distance MAKARADAMṢTRA shouted:
"Oh! sinner, have you returned? Having killed my daughter who was my life and the ornament of the whole world, what else have you come to do? By whose favour will this family live now? How will I live? You have destroyed the head of the family".
While she was saying thus, he saw the lifeless DEVADATTA placed on bier. Then he said sharply: "Mother, why do you reproach me? Inevitable is the course of Destiny. What purpose is served by scorning me? It is your Fate that this calamity has befallen you. Be it so. I do not desire to live without her". Saying this, resolving to put an end to his life, he tore open his thigh and gave her the invaluable jewel which by its lustre reddened the directions. He further said, "By obtaining this jewel your family has bid farewell to poverty". The bawd then said to DEVADATTA in her own language: "Rise, O perturbed one!". As soon as the ambrosial words entered her ears, DEVADATTA breathed a little, stretched her body twice or thrice and started looking around. Immediately joyous shouts burst forth. Felicitations were offered, and rumour spread that DEVADATTA had been taken by death but has recovered again. Clasping her to neck MAKARADAMSTRA chided her. Some one quickly fell at her feet and some others rolled in front of her. Gradually when festivity ended, MAKARADAMSTRĂ reproached even the son-in-law, then bathed him, clothed him, and welcomed him again. DEVADATTA also bathed, put unguents and ornaments and spent three-four days with him.
Now once at midnight, while he was talking lovingly to her about different things, due to force of habit the words 'mother knows' escaped him.
DEVADATTA asked: "Ah, does your mother know or do I know?" (35) Folding his hands he said: "Mother does not know anything, you know everything".
"If I know everything, then out with you" was DEVADATTA'S reply and she kicked him out. While leaving he woefully said: "Give me some provision for the journey". He was given two gold palas and was driven out.
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