Srngaramanjari Katha

Author(s): Bhojdev, Kalpalata K Munshi
Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

Page 36

A SUMMARY OF CONTENTS
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abundance of Madana's arrows. Vinayavati saw his youthful form and opulent appearance and glanced at him frequently as if enamoured of him. Though till that day Ravidatta was insensible to the play of love, he was charmed by the courtesan's amorous glances. After duly performing the worship of Madana, he left the place with his mind fixed on her.
The courtesan also returned home thinking of him. She had secured a good prey; and she did not wish to let it escape. She sent her friend Sangamikā to tell Ravidatta of her love and bring him to her house. When Sangamikā met Ravidatta, she spoke to him about it and invited him; he was at first indecisive, but the fire of youth outweighed his judgment, wisdom, modesty and learning and he went to the courtesan's house.
Vinayavati was quick to understand his deep attachmentnilirāga---and gradually divested him of all his wealth. When Ravi. datta became a pauper she sent a message to him through Sangamikā that a certain merchant named Vasudatta had arrived from Suvarna. dvipa with much wealth and was ready to give it all to Vinayavati if he could but spend one night with her. And therefore Ravidatta was asked not to come to her place for two or three days.
The dull-witted Ravidatta took her at her word and stayed home, After a few days he went to her house, but was turned out. He met Sangamikā but she showed no signs of recognition. He made repeated efforts to gain entrance to Vinayavati's house but was rebuked, laughed at by her servants and driven out every time. But his attachment for her did not lessen. He passed the remaining days of his life thinking of her and thought himself fortunate whenever he had the opportunity of seeing her.
Vişamasilā. Thus O daughter, the secret teachings of harlotry yielded good results after the nature of nilīrāga was known. As a cloth dyed in indigo does not fade even when washed by different things like soda, a person of nilirāga does not give up his deep attachment even when ruined in a hundred ways.
The Second Tale of Vikramasimha
śrngäramañjari: Mother, you have spoken about ihe nilirāga My curiosity increases. Please speak to me about the mañjisthārāga
Vişamaśīlā said:
In the city of Tāmalipti, there dwelt a prince named Vikrama simha. One day loitering in the locality of the courtesans he saw Mālatikā, the daughter of the bawd Ekadamstra. Mālatikā was not independent for she depended for her livelihood on a merchant named Vasudatta.