Book Title: Srngaramanjari Katha
Author(s): Bhojdev, Kalpalata K Munshi
Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

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Page 278
________________ TRANSLATION you up till now thinking that these men are few. Now you may do what you think fit". "Well done," he said and taking his sword 'Vasunandaka' in hand, he rushed towards them regarding them as worthless as grass. 69 When the king beheld his valour and LAVANYASUNDARI'S love, he understood that she was not cheated, for those who are cheated look quite different; that the wretched bawd was a liar and by this plot wished to destroy him and that the girl was willing to go with him out of love. He thought his presence would lead to RATNADATTA'S death, therefore he went home and sent his doorkeeper to fetch him and thought-"fortunate indeed will be that man whose footman he will become". The doorkeeper went to RATNADATTA and told him that king SŪRADHARMAN wanted him. He went and without saluting the King's feet he met him. The king offered him a seat, tāmbula etc. and respectfully asked: "Good one, where have you to go? Which country have you left? Which would you adorn?" "I go to recruit in the services of the sovereign", he said. "If it is not inexpedient then stay here for some time. I have forty-eight thousand villages. You may take half of them". Though thus addressed respectfully, he did not agree. The king therefore entertained him with due honour and allowed him to go. He came to LAVAṆYASUNDARI. Meantime the bawd came and said: "Son, I welcome you. You are a handsome man, a clever conversationalist and a generous donor to the supplicants. This was only an effort of mine to find out whether your valour was on par with your other virtues. And you are more distinguished in valour than in the other virtues. I am indeed fortunate in having such a son-in-law. Jain Education International (With LAVANYASUNDARI RATNADATTA proceeded towards Manyakheța, and took up residence with a courtesan named CITRALEKHA. (64) Next he took leave of LAVANYASUNDARI for four days and went in search of a job. It was difficult for her to bear the separation. The same day while she was seated in the terrace with CITRALEKHA the king saw her. He looked at her a long time and knew that she did not belong to this place. He sent his men to LAVANYASUNDARI but she refused. Observing that she was devoted to another person, the king's messenger) started weeping. CITRAKEKHA asked: "Good one, why do you weep?" "It seems to me that two things will perish." For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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