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CHAPTER THREE Pingala asked for the vow and he was initiated at once by them, after conducting him to the temple.
One day the lord of Vidarbha heard that Nala had lost the glory of his kingdom in gambling and had been exiled by his younger brother, Kūbara; that he had taken Davadanti and entered the great forest and no one knew where he had gone and whether he was dead or alive. Puşpadanti wept very loud on hearing that from the king. For in misfortune tears are never far away from women.
Then a young Brāhman at court, Harimitra by name, clever in his master's orders, was deputed by the king to search for them. The boy, searching everywhere for Nala and Davadanti, went to Acalapura and entered the king's assembly. Candrayaśas asked him as he was seated before the king, ‘How do Puspadanti and her people fare?' He replied, “Always good fortutrefi Paspadanti is reported. The prosperity of Nala and Davadanti is questionable, mistress.' The boy, asked What do you say?' told the queen the story of Nala and Bhaimi, beginning with the gambling, very painful to hear. Then as Candrayaśas was weeping, all the court wept, rerraining from any happy conversation.
Seeing everyone miserable from grief, the boy, hungry, went to the alms-house with the intention of eating. For the alms-house is the wishing-gem for food. As he is seated there to eat, he recognizes Davadanti, the daughter of his mistress, superintending the dispensary. His hair erect from joy, pain 'from hunger forgotten, wide-eyed from delight, he worshipped Davadanti's feet and said: 'Queen, what is this condition of yours, like a plant in hot weather? Thank Heaven, you have been seen alive. Now there is happiness for all."
He got up quickly and delighted Queen Candrayaśas, saying, "Davadanti is in your alms-house.' Hearing that, Candrayaśas went swiftly to the alms-house and embraced Davadanti, like a marāli a lotus-plant. She said: 'Child, shame, shame, on me, that I did not recognize you, though you are distinguished by unique marks on your body ! . Why
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