Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 3

Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra

Page 104

VĀSUPUJYACARITRA
75
Vindhyasakti commands her led into his presence from curiosity. Let her be given to your brother, the equal of yourself, who asks (for her). There is no censure in the giving and taking of courtesans."
Thus addressed by the minister, Parvataka, his lips trembling from anger, like a snake touched by a stick, spoke:
"How can you call cruel Vindhyaśakti, who asks for Guṇamañjarī who is dearer than my life, a brother? When he wishes to take her without whom I am not able to exist even for a moment, he wishes to take my life also. I will not give even a slave, to say nothing of Gunamañjarī. Let Vindhyasakti be friend or foe in accordance with his strength. Get up! Go! Go and tell him the facts. For kings' messengers tell the true state of affairs."
The minister rose with side-long glances, got into his conveyance and went into Vindhyaśakti's presence. He related the Parvataka-incident in detail, and his master blazed with anger like a fire into which an oblation has just been thrown. Breaking a friendship of long standing, Vindhyasakti, a mountain of pride, went to Parvata, like the ocean to its shore. Parvata went to meet him with his army and transport. Truly, the meeting of heroes, though unfriendly, is the same as if it were friendly. Then the battle-a herb to cure the disease of itching arms after a long time commenced between the vanguards of the two armies. The soldiers of the two armies advanced and retreated like elephants fighting each other in the arena. One soldier, threaded on a lance like a jewel threaded on a string, making the sound 'hum, went unstumbling against the enemy. The battle-field with arrows discharged unceasingly by the best of bowmen took on the appearance of forest-grounds with clumps of reeds cut down. The heavens were concealed by falling iron-bludgeons, darts, clubs, and hammers, which destroyed the enemies' lives, like serpents. Victory, here for