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SRNGARAMANJARIKATHA
quarelling with each other, vying with each other in coming near the flames of the fire as its touch gave pleasure to the limbs which had become rigid due to the contact of the very cold wind; the small villages looked as if covered with blankets on account of the torment of cold due to its regions being encompassed and the sky being covered with the smoke of the sacred fire and when (in winter) the warmth of the breasts of the beloveds were much welcomed due to the shortness of the days and the great length of the nights.
She put on excellent apparel and adornments adequate for the performance and proceeded towards the royal palace. She thought to herself: "If the lord of my life does not see this then my dressing and dancing would be futile. And if these would be seen by CHADDALAKA then I would offer to God flowers and kunkuma both worth five-hundred. On the way she vowed this to God Ganapati, the fulfiller of desires. Ther thinking that he is bound to be there, with her heart full of joy she went (to the palace) and began dancing. Dancing with rhythm and grace, as she glanced in all the directions she did not see CHADDALAKA. Instantaneously strength left her, enthusiasm waned, her face paled and she became lifeless. The dancing teacher was quick to perceive that she was continuing dancing without grace because of the shame of the king, (69) the feudatories and other persons. But this dance was very dangerous, and needed good balance. Because she was continuing dancing without balance, he was afraid she might therefore throw herself on the sword, and that would be an end of the excellent person. So he informed the king "She was gracefully dancing uptil now thinking that her lord will see it. But being aware that he is not here, she has become indifferent and graceless, and is dancing only out of shame, thus she will throw herself on the sword. You may have got angry with me that though knowing I did not tell you about it, now Your Majesty can do what he thinks fit.” Hearing this the king loudly said: "Oh Dancing Master, it is late in the night, please stop the performance". Then waiting a moment he went to his bed room, and called AŚOKAVATI there, and said: “You wretched one! you were not ashamed of me, nor of those acquaintances of ours, the feudatories and others. You have become very shameless. The conduct of courtesans even is not like this, what is this?” She said: "Sire, I am known, what shall I hide? There is nothing that is not done for the sake of love. For my graceless dancing Your Majesty may punish me or decorate me, you have all powers". TO her the king said: "The desire to sin does not secure riches. Do not be so bold again." Saying thus he sent her away. He sent spies to find out what she would be doing now. From the royal
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