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76
ŚRNGARAMAÑJARIKATHA
seeing the sixteen years old youth who surpassed Manmatha in beauty and charm, she remarked to her mother: "Mother, this youth does not belong to this place. He seems to be a stranger, and is possessed of all surpassing handsomeness, youth and charm". The mother recognized her love at first sight, and having obtained such a chance after a long time, quickly said: “Daughter, this earth is indeed praiseworthy. Here are found men more handsome than the handsome, more fortunate even than the fortunate and attachment to one man is made to withdraw by other men, therefore call him". When this was said she, who felt great attraction for him on merely seeing him called him: "O, Guest, why don't you come in?” Hearing it he said: "Surely I will come” and gracefully and handsomely he came to her. On seeing him she was agitated, dumb, and intoxicated. Giving up all else, taking her bath, making him take a bath, dining with him at one place according to her standard, she went to bed. SUNDARA then sent his servant to bring a pattanika from the king and kept it with him. Then he started entertaining her according to his skill, so much so that she did not know whether it was a dream or magic. SUNDARA exciting her sensuousness drew on her body with his nails some modes of sexual union, at some place designs of leaves. at some place Bhārata, and another Rāmāyaṇa, while so doing he recorded the images of the nail-scratches into the pattanikä.
When she retired from dalliance, she quickly felt as if arisen from sleep, ........... as if awakened from a fainting spell, as if freed from stupefaction, delusion and infatuation caused by some stupefying herb. And she thought: "What have I done? Ah! the sport of wretched Destiny is unsurpassable, the things fated cannot be over-stepped, Destiny cannot be violated, that ...... this is the end of my love. Therefore, definitely Destiny cannot be trespassed. I was not even brought to my senses by that sinner whose mind is intent on wealth". Thus thinking ....... the night passed (71) and the sun rose. SUNDARAKA knowing her heart that was full of repentance..... giving (the pattanikā?) to the king said: "Sire, I have followed your command." Hearing this the king was pleased ....... gave him as a gift the lordship of four-thousand villages.
But since then in the same manner . . . . . she lived in despair.
The king taking the pattanikā .... came and said to CHADDALAKA: "Spread this and accept it as a gift". Then the Mahattama TIKKAPAIKA said: "What is this?” CHADDALAKA replied: "This is a plan of the king to break our bond of love". And when he saw the pattanika after spreading it,
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