Srngaramanjari Katha

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

Page 41

18
SṚNGARAMANJARIKATHA
The sixth tale of Lavanyasundari
Viṣamasilā: Moreover, oh daughter, I have already told you that for those who, after resorting to great and valorous persons, try to obtain their desired ends at the risk of self-sacrifice it is not difficult to gain their own ends. I will tell you about it:
In the town of Ahicchatra dwelt a powerful king called Vajramukuta. In the same town also dwelt a rich oilman called Ghuḍa with his wife Lavanyasundari. The couple were very happy.
One day, while the king was passing by Ghuda's house he saw Lavanyasundari. Her loveliness intoxicated him and he desired to possess her. Learning from his spies that she was the wife of Ghuda, the oilman, Vajramukuța arrested Ghuda under a false charge of adulteration in oil. For his release the oilman offered to pay enormous sums, but the king did not release him. Lavanyasundari then realised the king's real intentions and told her husband that he should try to free himself from the king's clutches by offering him whatever he wanted. Accordingly, the oilman asked the king and he was asked to get a hundred elephants within six months. Considering her husband's freedom more important than her own reputation, she took along with her a large retinue and paraphernalia befitting a noble and rich courtesan; and having in mind the valorous King Sahasanka, she started for Ujjayini.
After a few days she reached Ujjayini. She took up her residence on the banks of the Sipra and had the rumour bruited about her that she was a courtesan. The rumour, in due course, reached the ears of the king. As she anticipated, he sent his spies to verify the truth. When they attested to its truth, the king passed by her house under the pretext of hunting and had a look at her. His mind was immediately captivated by her beauty and charm. And he sent his man Mukharaka to fetch her. She gladly came to the king's palace and stayed there.
In the morning the king spoke to Bhaṭṭamatrgupta, his wise adviser, about the love of Lavanyasundari. Bhaṭṭamātṛgupta warned him not to trust her for she was after all a harlot. Vikrama tested her in various ways but she always proved loyal to him, and he refused to believe Bhaṭṭamatṛgupta's words. All this naturally came to the ears of Lavanyasundari. She feared and respected Bhaṭṭamatṛgupta but the prescribed time was coming to an end and she had to act soon.
So one day Lavanyasundari took courage. She came to where the king and his wise counsellor were sitting, and rebuked the king for regarding her true love as harlotry. In a huff she entered the bedroom and with a dagger cut off her head. Full of misapprehensions Vikrama followed her after some time only to see her lying