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CHAPTER FIVE
the name Kurucandra. Sudhana and Dhanada both died and became merchants' sons, the former in Kāmpilya and the latter in Kșttikāpura. Vasantadeva was the name of the first and Kāmapāla of the second. In course of time Dhanapati and Dhaneśvara died. Both of them became merchants' daughters, Madirā and Kesarā, one in Sankhapura and the other in Jayanti. The four gradually grew up, passing childhood, and reached fresh youth.
One day Vasantadeva went from Kāmpīlya to Jayanti on business and made money. Once on the festival of the moon of the eighth night he went by chance to the garden Ratinandana and saw there Kesarā. She looked at Vasantadeva with a friendly glance. Affection toward each other, which originated in a former birth, became apparent. Vasantadeva asked a merchant's son, Priyankara, who lived in Jayanti, 'Who is she? And whose daughter is she?' He explained, 'She is a maiden, the daughter of Sheth Pañcanandin, sister of Jayantideva, named Kesarā.'
Vasantadeva began a friendship with Jayantideva, a reason for coming and going between the houses of both of them. One day Vasantadeva was invited by Jayantideva to his house. For the pregnancy-whim of the tree of friendship is of that kind. There Vasantadeva saw Kesarā, moonlight to the lotus of the eye, worshipping Kusumāyudha with flowers. Vasantadeva, accepting a wreath of flowers from the lotus-hand of Jayantideva, was looked at by her with affection. With the thought, 'That is a favourable omen,' there was great joy of both. Their pleasing behaviour toward each other had pleasing results for both. An actress, Priyankarā, observed the inclination of the two.868 For another's heart is easily observed by those who understand the interpretation of sentiment by outward signs and by the expression of the face.
368 413. Dhātriputrā. In the Kathākośa Priyankarā was Kesarā's nurse; and may have been here, also, but it is not so stated. The next sentence seems to refer to her calling as an ' actress.'
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