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The next day the king sent word to Shalibhadra to send one shawl and also the cost to be paid for it.
On getting the king's message, Bhadra said, “The shawls are not in my house. They have been cast away. My daughters-in-law are not used to use an article more than once."
Hearing this from the messenger, the king decided to call on Shalibhadra who was so rich.
The next day King Shrenik went to Shalibhadra's house with all his retinue. Bhadra welcomed them all royally. Then she accompained the king to the harem.
But Shalibhadra's palace had seven storeys. The first floor was supported on golden pillars with a golden ceiling above them. Here lived his servants and maid-servants. The king ascended the different storeys and reached the fifth floor. It had walls made of gold and birds of gems were placed there. There were also fruits of pearls and leaves of sapphire.
The king was tired and expressed his inability to climb up the remaining storeys. Hence Bhadra went up to fetch her son. But, strange to say, her son had never gone down stairs. And his business was looked after by his mother. He did not like to see people other than his household servants. Hence he was astonished to see his mother at this odd hour, who said, "Son, the king has come." Thereupon Shalibhadra said, "Why has he come?" Then the mother replied, “Well the king wants nothing; he has come to see you, hearing your fame spreading far and wide." The son then asked if there 114
