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CHAPTER THREE lamp." She greeted all the suitors with a glance which was the essence of pride, like a digit of the moon greeting the nightblooming lotuses with its light.' Depressed in heart at not seeing there Vasudeva who had been seen in the picture and seen as messenger, she faded like a day-blooming lotus at evening. The burden (of the wreath) having been put in the hand of a childhood-playmate, she stood motionless for a long time like a doll, feeling ill.
When she did not choose any one, the kings examined themselves, thinking anxiously, “Is something wrong with my appearance, clothes, conduct, et cetera ?” Her companion said to Kanakavati: “Why do you hesitate now? Place the svayamvara-wreath around the neck of some one." Hariscandra's daughter replied: “ Surely a bridegroom is chosen who is pleasing. I, unfortunate, do not see him who pleases me.” She reflected: “What stratagem or what course will there be for me? I do not see the desired bridegroom. O heart, break in two."
Suffering from anxiety, she saw Dhanada, bowed to him and, miserable and weeping, her hands placed together in supplication, said: “O god, do not make me ridiculous in this way because I was your wife in a former birth. The husband whom I wished to choose has been sent away by you." Dhanada smiled and said to Sauri, “Take off the ring, named Kuberakānta, which I gave you, illustrious sir.” At Dhanada's command Sauri took the ring off his hand and assumed his own form again, like an actor in a play.
When she saw Daśārha in his own form, she, bright-eyed, became horripilated as if her joy had become external. Stepping near, her anklets tinkling, she placed the svayamvarawreath around his neck, as if it were her own arm. Then drums sounded in the sky at Dhanada's order and eager Apsarases sang tasteful auspicious songs. A loud penetrating voice said, “Listen! Hariscandra is fortunate, whose daughter has chosen a husband, the leader of the world.” Instructed by Dhanada the gods rained unceasing treasure at
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