Srngaramanjari Katha

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

Page 38

A SUMMARY OF CONTENTS
"I will do as you say.
Madhava answered: But there are many travellers on the way and I feel shy. On leaving this road I will give it to you".
After going some more distance, he saw a lonely spot and he called the bawd. Throwing her on the ground he quickly and forcibly cut off her nose and ears. While she lay tossing and wailing. Madhava said to her: "Such is a token of remembrance I give you that you will never forget it", and thinking his purpose had been served he went his way.
15
Vişamaśīlā: As a cloth dyed in kusumbha is not fit for heat and washing, persons of kusumbharaga soon become estranged and bring about evil. The wealth of such people therefore should be taken away without giving offence to them.
Śṛngāramañjarī: Mother, my curiosity increases. Therefore tell me about all the things you mentioned.
The Fourth Tale of Suradharman
Viṣamaśīlā: Well, listen about the means of getting hold of a person of haridrārāga.
On the bank of the Ganges is Hastigrama, a village of the Brāhmaṇas. There dwelt a poor man called Suradharman. He knew of no means of acquiring wealth; so he decided to worship the sea, the store-house of jewels. Every day he would go with flowers, offer them to the sea, spend the whole day there and return at eventide. Many years thus passed. One day the Lord of the sea took pity on him and gave him an invaluable jewel. Suradharman was pleased and returned home. Having obtained such an invaluable treasure he was afraid of losing it, so he tore open his thigh, hid it there, and assuming the role of a mad man roamed about muttering only "Mother knows".
Wandering thus, he came to Ujjayini after many days. King Vikramaditya ruled there. He had a famous courtesan named Devadatta. Under the pretext of pilgrimage, Devadatta used to search for rich men fit to be fleeced. Once she saw Suradharman. Noticing the contrast between his form and his peculiar behaviour, she knew for certain that the person was a rogue and had assumed the pose of a mad man only to hide something very precious; therefore she spoke to him; but to her question he only answered, 'Mother knows'.
Desirous of knowing the truth, Devadatta brought him home. She tried her utmost to worm out the secret from him. She neglected even the king, but Suradharman would speak nothing else but "Mother knows".
Thus passed six months. One day it occurred to Suradharman that a long stay would infatuate him and he would be prompted to