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PREVIOUS BIRTHS OF PÅRŠVANATHA
371 the soldiers in a moment. Whether touching the earth or going through the air, the horse could not be seen because of his speed. It was conjectured, "The king has gone with him, certainly, mounted on him."
In a moment the king reached a forest very far away, full of various trees, crowded with all kinds of animals. The king saw a pool spotless as his own heart and the horse, thirsty, panting hard, stopped at the sight of it. Then the king took off the saddle, bathed and watered the horse; and the king himself bathed and drank. Then after coming out (of the pool) and resting a moment on its bank, the king started out and saw ahead a charming ascetics' grove. The king was delighted, seeing it with trees whose water-basins were being filled by young ascetics holding young deer on their hips.
As the king was entering it, his right eye twitched, indicating new happiness to him expert in proper procedure. As he went forward, delighted, the king saw on the right a girl-ascetic with a girl-friend sprinkling the trees with pitchers of water. He thought, " Indeed, there is no such beauty of the Apsarases nor of the Naga-women, nor of mortal women. She is superior to the three worlds." While the king, hidden in the trees, was considering her, she entered a bower of madhavi 329 with her friend. After loosening the firmlyfastened bark-garment, the maiden began to sprinkle the bakula, her mouth giving joy to the bakula.330 Again the king reflected: 'On the one hand, the beauty of her, lotus-eyed; on the other hand, this work suitable for an ordinary woman. She is not an ascetic-maiden, since my mind is attached to her. Surely she is some princess who has come here from some place."
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Just then a bee flew into her face with the idea that it was a lotus, causing terror to her shaking two fingers. When the bee did not leave her, then she said to her friend, Save
329 224.
Gaertnera racemosa.
330 225. Indian medlar, which poetically blossoms from the nectar of a woman's mouth.
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